Vera Nabu Residences
Urban Dream Comes True
05/
Type
Multi‑Family Residential
96,000 sq ft
Size
2035
Completed
Mexico City, Mexico
Project Story
A mid‑rise residential tower that turns every balcony into a planted terrace, Vera Nabu weaves lush vegetation through a rigorous concrete frame to create a vertical community in the heart of the city.
DESIGN TEAM
Clara Mendel (Lead), Diego Navarro,
Lea Sun
PHOTOGRAPHY
Studio Lizzard Arcado Images
year
2035
The Brief
The developer’s ambition was to offer high‑density living that still felt closely connected to light, air, and greenery. The brief called for generous outdoor space for every unit, strong visual privacy from neighboring buildings, and a ground floor that could operate as both lobby and living room for residents. The project needed to perform as an efficient, straightforward structure while delivering a distinctive identity that would read clearly on the skyline and from the street. Long‑term durability and low‑maintenance planting strategies were key from the earliest stages.
The Approach
We organized the tower as a series of stacked concrete plates, each slightly extended to create deep, livable balconies on all four sides. These horizontal slabs form continuous bands for planting and shading, turning the façade into a layered profile of terraces, railings, and cascading greenery. Units are arranged as through‑floor apartments, maximizing cross‑ventilation and views while allowing living spaces to open directly to the vegetated edges. At the base, the structure pulls back to form a double‑height lobby and lounge that looks onto a landscaped forecourt, making the transition from street to home feel gradual and calm.
The DETAILS
Exposed concrete and slim black metal railings provide a minimal backdrop for the planting, which combines hardy grasses, flowering vines, and small shrubs selected for year‑round interest and low water use. Drip irrigation and integrated planters are built into the slab edges, with concealed drainage ensuring clean facades over time. Floor‑to‑ceiling glazing, operable panels, and deep balcony overhangs work together to manage solar gain and extend the interior rooms outward. On the rooftop, a pergola‑shaded terrace offers communal kitchens, seating, and city views nestled within dense greenery. At the ground level, warm timber finishes, soft furnishings, and large potted plants echo the exterior language, creating a coherent experience from entry garden to uppermost terrace.