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Calderón de la Barca: an eclectic, vibrant house crafted by wood, marble, and steel

Chain + Siman

House  /  Completed
Chain + Siman

The idea stemmed from the client’s need for a generous, welcoming home to host friends and family. Chain + Siman developed the concept by maximising space through open layouts and curated furnishings, creating an eclectic, sophisticated atmosphere. Each area was designed to blend daily functionality with elegant social spaces, using materials like wood, marble, and steel to craft a warm, masculine character. The result is a unique apartment that reflects the client’s lifestyle and the vibrant energy of Polanco.

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Neutral furnishings and oak flooring define the open-plan living area, accented by black details and minimalist art.

Located in Polanco, Mexico City, an area rich with vegetation and close to Parque Lincoln and Parque América, the apartment benefits from its urban landscaping while maintaining a discreet relationship with its surroundings. As a penthouse in a low-rise building, it remains visually connected yet private. Floor-to-ceiling windows link interiors to the terrace framed by lush planting by landscaper Pedro Sánchez, enhancing greenery and privacy. The rooftop level further embraces outdoor views, bringing light and ventilation into the flat.

Floor-to-ceiling curtains frame the terrace, while monochrome art and a marble console add refinement to the living area.

Sustainability was addressed through material selection and passive spatial strategies. Chain + Siman used durable materials like marble, oak, and steel for their longevity and timelessness, reducing the need for future replacements. Large windows maximise natural light and ventilation, reducing energy use during the day. Warm LED lighting with dimming and colour temperature controls increases energy efficiency.

Dark wood cabinetry with integrated lighting defines the kitchen and dining area, featuring open shelving for tableware and a solid timber island.

Located in Polanco, Mexico City, this three-level apartment by Chain + Siman was designed for a client seeking generous spaces to host alongside daily comforts. It includes warm living areas, a dining room with a signature bar, a master suite, and a rooftop wellness area with gym and steam room. The concept maximises space through open layouts and curated furnishings, achieving a casual yet elegant ambience. The eclectic design avoids strict styles to create unique environments, using oak wood, marble, steel, plaster, raw metals, velvet, and leather for a masculine, sophisticated character. Entry is on the middle floor with living room, dining area, kitchen, service areas, and terrace. Below are the master and guest bedrooms plus a TV room, while the rooftop is the main social space with dining, bar, terrace, and wellness facilities. Highlights include the modular sofa with marble and wood tables, a bespoke marble TV unit, black shelving with gold details, and Knoll Outdoor pieces on a terrace landscaped by Pedro Sánchez. The kitchen-dining area features a stainless steel and marble bar by Río Studio, Walter Knoll chairs, and Vibia lighting. The master bedroom feels serene with oak-clad walls, upholstered headboard, Nanimarquina rug, and spa-like marble bathroom. A steel staircase with minimalist handrail and marble flooring connects levels, reinforcing the apartment’s industrial yet refined aesthetic.

An open-plan layout integrates the living, dining, and kitchen areas, featuring marble surfaces, sculptural lighting, and neutral furnishings for a cohesive interior scheme.
The client valued Chain + Siman’s ability to translate their need for generous social spaces and personal comfort into a cohesive design. They appreciated how each area was tailored to specific functions while maintaining an overall sense of warmth, sophistication, and practicality, resulting in a home that supports their lifestyle and hosting needs seamlessly.

Credits

 Mexico City
 Messico
 Private
 Apartment
 09/2024
 435 m2
 Confidential
 Renatta Chain, Lina Siman
 César González
 Rio Studio furniture, Pedro Sánchez landscaping, Walter Knoll, Vibia, Noguchi, Limited Edition, Nanimarquina, Restoration Hardware, Artemide, Cattelan Italia, Knoll Outdoor, Hansgrohe, Baldwin, iGuzzini, Barrisol, Jung
 Rafael Gamo, Celia Rojo

Bio

Chain + Siman is a Mexico City-based architecture and interior design firm led by Renatta Chain and Lina Siman. They partnered in 2016 to design projects that balance simplicity, luxury, and functionality through clean lines, natural palettes, and a close dialogue between light, space, and texture. They have designed residential, hospitality, retail, and corporate spaces, each shaped by their dedication to detail, personalised client service, and understanding of cultural and functional contexts. Their architecture integrates a luxurious lifestyle into everyday living, creating atmospheres that evoke emotion, enhance life, and harmonise with their surroundings in spaces that merge a timeless, contemporary and regional feel.

https://chainsiman.com/


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