REFORMA 39

Address: Reforma 39
Neihgborhood: Centro Barranquitas (Santuario)
Year of construction: Mid-to-late 1800s (estimated)
Architect: Unknown
Original owner: Don J. Jesús Flores Ibarra
Parcel Size: 141m2
Construction: 201 m2
Maximum built: 1.021 m2 (maximum allowance by regulation
Protection Polygon: A (within the foodprint of the city pior to 1900)
Protection level: Historical Monument by law

Reforma 39 shows architectural elements dating back to potentially the 1700 or 1800s. The stone used to build some of the most prominent features of this property (Golden Cantera) was sourced from a quarry that was depleted before the turn of the 20th Century.

Additional, significant features include convent-style windows that were built to maximize natural light for manual labor activities. Furthemore, several frescoes have been uncovered underneath contemporary layers of paint, currently in the process of cleaning and restoration. This gives this property immense cultural and historical value, being reflected in its catalogation as a Historical Monument by determination of law.

The general objective of this project is to restore, preserve and conserve as much of the original building as possible, while adapting the property into a functional hosuing unit. Specific objectives include:

Adapting the property to add to the housing stock as a single-family unit.
Designing a space with long-term adaptability allowing it to convert it into a multifamily unit.

The property features an artisanal 100-year old iron entry gate which attest to the craftsmanship of its time, a central patio a key architectural feature that facilitates the circulation of natural light and promotes natural ventilation throughout the property.