Margreth Senior CoHousing

Margreth is a senior CoHousing project located in Xalapa, developed from a critical reading of current demographic shifts. In Mexico, according to INEGI, more than 17 million people are aged 60 or older. This trend is even more evident at the regional level. In Veracruz, the proportion of the population over 60 has steadily increased in recent decades, doubling in approximately 30 years. This context highlights an urgent need: to rethink housing models for older adults, not only as a response to population growth, but as a structural transformation in how this stage of life should be lived.

In contrast to traditional models such as nursing homes or retirement facilities, which are becoming increasingly obsolete, Margreth proposes an alternative that dignifies later life through architectural design, understanding this stage not as a condition of dependency, but as an opportunity to live with autonomy, well-being, and a sense of community.

The project responds to the physical, emotional, and cognitive conditions of its users through a flexible and sensitive architectural approach. The spatial configuration prioritizes accessibility, proximity between functions, and the incorporation of pauses along circulation paths, acknowledging that movement and everyday interaction require new spatial logics at this stage of life. Each design decision is based on the premise of facilitating daily life without sacrificing comfort or real estate value.

More than a collection of amenities, Margreth is conceived as an integrated ecosystem and a luxury CoHousing model. Its various programs, including a nutrition-focused restaurant, wellness center, specialized gym, assistance area, therapeutic pool, and social spaces, are organized to promote both physical well-being and social interaction, essential elements for a fulfilling life. The project also incorporates services and dynamics characteristic of a hybrid operational model that blends residential living with certain hospitality logics, enhancing quality of life while preserving its residential essence.

Margreth redefines the experience of aging by offering an environment where independence, dignity, and community coexist, enabling the creation of a lifestyle specifically designed for this stage of life. It is a proposal that not only responds to an emerging market demand, but also establishes an architectural stance in the face of one of the most significant social transformations of our time.