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| North-facing, Azotea Apts, Alamogordo, New Mexico |
Back here, I said I wanted to get an understanding of how New Mexican architecture does and doesn't work with its climate for comfort and economy. I'm using "economy" in its broadest sense, encompassing financial and environmental costs/benefits.
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| West-facing, Azotea Apts, Alamogordo, New Mexico |
I revisited the Azotea apartment complex on First Street in Alamogordo so I could get a better look at the design, the residents' outdoor space, the landscaping, and how it all interacts with the sun.
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| North-facing, Azotea Apts, Alamogordo, New Mexico |
Aesthetically, I'm really taken with Azotea. I love the soft sage-y green color, the mid-century boxiness, how the structures are framed by the mountain range, and to a fair extent, the xeriscaping.
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| Large windows south-facing, Azotea Apts, Alamogordo, New Mexico |
What I like specifically about the landscaping is its scale - it doesn't overpower the buildings and it doesn't compete visually with the mountain backdrop. And it appears that it's low maintenance, with a naturalized look, and, of course, is not too thirsty.
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| Large windows south-facing, Azotea Apts, Alamogordo, New Mexico |
It does look a little raggedy, but I'm assuming this is because of its youth; I expect the landscaping will get better each year as its components mature.
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| South-facing, Azotea Apts, Alamogordo, New Mexico |
What I don't like about Azotea is that so many of these giant picture windows have a southern sun exposure - that must be brutal at the height of the summer, with what appears to be only dated vertical blinds as a protection for the inhabitants inside. Yeah, I get that a southern exposure in temperate climates make a lot of sense, but in the high desert where the summers are so hot and the winters relatively mild? It's a lot easier (and cheaper) to get myself warm in a mild winter than try to cool myself off in a hot summer.
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| Common area runs east-west, Azotea Apts, Alamogordo, New Mexico |
The buildings that are in the middle of the complex have more protection from the sun, but they pay for that in loss of view.
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| South-facing, Azotea Apts, Alamogordo, New Mexico |
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| South-facing, Azotea Apts, Alamogordo, New Mexico |
Given the developers' aspiration to be green, I'm perplexed by the paucity of shade design. Yes, there is a bit of overhang over the large windows and the doorways, but these are so meager in size. Again, for those south-facing, heat-collecting windows, why not more substantial shade design?
Finally, what I don't like is the stinginess of the residents' personal outdoor space. Some units seem to have only doll-sized patio slabs, or the bit more roomier front-door entrances. Not getting that.
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| South-facing, Azotea Apts, Alamogordo, New Mexico |
What it's inside these units, I don't know. Maybe some day I'll get a look. I'd like to.
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| South-facing, Azotea Apts, Alamogordo, New Mexico |
There are probably some design considerations in Azotea vis a vis the sun that I don't know about. Also, as a shade-lover, I may be more sensitive to the sun thing. Maybe someone more knowledgeable will comment.
Overall, I like the cosmetics of Azotea's design. As a passer-by and not a resident.
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