Monterrey, Mexico
For Pozas Design Group, giving life to the tallest building in Latin America (LATAM) was not the original intent. With clever, late-stage modifications, the firm added the needed height to make vertical history. Now complete, the record-breaking Obispado tower in Monterrey, Mexico, is the first of two landmark structures designed by the high-end architecture firm. Driven by continuous creativity, the architects share their design workflow and the technology used to create and adapt the 3D model.
The vision for a landmark project
Based in the sprawling industrial city of Monterrey, Pozas Design Group specializes in residential and commercial design. The group combined a Mexican design style and values of service and human connection to create the Obispado and Rise Towers — the most prominent structures they had yet attempted. The hope for these buildings is that they will further expand recognition of Mexican architecture in the world.
The Obispado tower was intended to be a landmark from day one. The client wanted a multi-functional building that serves the needs of its users and adds a harmonious note to the city’s skyline and nearby mountains. Posaz’s multidisciplinary team facilitated conversations with stakeholders and construction managers from the start of the project, incorporating the client’s vision and constructible reality into the design. The process was smooth, proceeding from concept to construction drawings in just twelve months.
The vertical challenge
After the project was well underway, someone asked, “Will this be the tallest building in LATAM?”
The team realized the building only needed to be 10 meters taller to make history for Monterrey and Mexico. At first glance, the additions appeared simple, and the changes may have been simpler if the project was not already in motion. It was challenging to modify the mature design and planned facade while retaining the original intent. Four stories shorter than the final design, the original concept already faced wind and structural challenges due to its significant height.
