Introduction to Casa Sofia

Amasa Estudio renovates a long-abandoned 1940s house in Colonia Roma, just six blocks from Parque México in one of Mexico City’s most sought-after neighborhoods. Originally used as office space, Casa Sofia sat empty for over ten years. Rather than demolish or replace it, the architects preserved the structure and gave it new life. The result is a compact, flexible home that respects its past while making room for new ways of living.

The material palette reinforces the spatial mood. A muted green saturates the metal elements, stairs, railings, doors, and furniture, while textured gray plaster walls create a neutral backdrop and allow these features to pop.

all images by Zaickz Moz, unless stated otherwise

Flexible Setup and Design

What began as a plan for a single-family home evolved into something more adaptable. In the Casa Sofia project, the Mexican architects of Amasa Estudio fit a ground-floor one-bedroom apartment, a garage that doubles as a small commercial unit, and a main residence located above. All three have separate entrances from a shared vestibule, making it possible to rent or work from parts of the property while maintaining privacy.

Inside the main residence, the layout flips the usual logic. Bedrooms are tucked away on the first floor, and a spiral staircase leads up to a second level with the kitchen, living room, dining area, half bath, and open terrace. This entire floor is open-plan, wrapped in folding windows. A circular skylight over the staircase floods the vertical core with daylight, pulling light down into the more enclosed floors below.

Amasa Estudio renovates a long-abandoned 1940s house in Colonia Roma

Historical Context and Original Use

The building was originally used as office space and sat empty for over ten years before Amasa Estudio took on the renovation project. By preserving the structure, the architects aimed to respect the building’s past while adapting it to modern needs.

the building was originally used as office space

Casa Sofia sat empty for over ten years

Conclusion

The renovation of Casa Sofia by Amasa Estudio is a testament to the potential of preserving and adapting existing structures to meet modern needs. By combining a respect for the building’s past with innovative design solutions, the architects have created a unique and functional space that not only honors its history but also provides a flexible and comfortable living environment. The result is a successful blend of old and new, demonstrating that with careful consideration and creativity, it’s possible to breathe new life into abandoned buildings and give them a vibrant future.