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| Adriana González: "It's a High-Quality Project" |
| The project manager and architect for Salinas Group spoke to ttv about Azteca Novelas´ seven new studios and their main structural characteristics. |
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In an emotional ceremony on November 23, 2009; Ricardo Salinas Pliego -president of Salinas Group-, joined by Joaquín Arrangoiz -the company's executive VP-, Mario San Román -Azteca's GM- and Alberto Santini -GM at Azteca Novelas and Azteca 13-, layed down the first brick at the Azteca Novelas' new studios, "the most modern in Latin America."
It took 9 months to design the executive project and 28 months to produce it, with a million-dollar investment. Just the lighting alone cost around US$ 5 million. During that time, 14,520 new jobs were created for architects, engineers, designers, bricklayers, electricians, painters, plumbers, carpenters, blacksmiths, and light and sound technicians, who worked together to complete the project in record time for the studios' official inauguration on June 5. |
THE PROJECT
"This project was an answer to the need for more studios," said architect Adriana González Ochoa, project manager for Grupo Salinas. "We started to evaluate the different options to see how we could build more studios in smaller locations. So, as we had a small 3,600 m2 terrain, the idea was to build upwards. Usually, studios are built horizontally and it requires great pieces of land. Therefore, with this space we decided to build vertically to make the most of the small area," she said.
In order to start building, it was necessary to lay a foundation strong enough to hold the tall building, and this could only be done with steel; 238,387 tons of it. "It's a steel structure covered by terracotta; a stone that helps with temperature and sound. This material is stuck to the metallic structure. Each piece absorbs heat and traps it between the metal and the stone itself. Acoustically, it's the same thing," she said.
One of the most challenging aspects of this project was the lakeside land in Mexico City, where the building is built. "When we went down to groundwater level to lay down the foundation for the underground parking lot, we found solid land 24 meters deep. We put pillars from there up to where the building stands," she explained.
In the end, the building covers 15,100 m2; 5,000 of which are the seven new studios: Studio 1 and 2 (1,620 m2), and Studio 3 (780 m2) on the bottom floor; and Studio 4 (800 m2), Studio 5 (850 m2), Studio 6 (520 m2) and Studio 7 (450 m2) on the top floor.
ECO-FRIENDLY BUILDING
One of the most unique characteristics of this project is the fact that it's "eco-friendly". The Azteca Novelas studios are designed to protect the environment: "We always look for a way to spend less energy and save more water," said González. "Something very unique about this building is its air conditioning. Usually, air comes from the ceiling downwards; but we decided to place it where the people are. We got great results with half the electrical expense," she added.
In addition, as the building has several rooftops, it was decided to take advantage of Mexico City's frequent raining. "We have a tank that can hold a million liters of water, which travels from the tank and is filtered to be used in all the bathrooms, as well as water the plants," she explained.
The building also includes dressing rooms, sound and image editing rooms, underground parking, cafeterias, VIP areas, library, gym, acupuncture and massage lounge, day care and even a helipad. "The helipad can hold a 7-ton helicopter. It's meant to provide easy access to the president and managers of Grupo Salinas and Azteca," she said.
Last but not least, the architect and project manager for Grupo Salinas described the project with one word: quality. Why? "It is a high-quality design that's well executed. A high-quality project," she concluded. |
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