Magnolias

Location: Viaduct Bicentenario S/N San Bartolo Cuautlalpan, Zumpango, State of Mexico 55630.

Type of project: New building — Social housing

State: Built

Execution period: 2023-2025

Number of housing units: 1460

Project Description

The Jardines de Magnolias IV project is a large scale housing development located in San Bartolo Cuautlalpan, Zumpango, State of Mexico, designed to serve social housing through a combination of types of apartments and houses.

The complex covers a constructed area of approximately 67.438 m², with a total of 1,460 homes, organized in multifamily buildings of up to 8 levels above ground and single-family homes in series. The housing units meet spatial optimization criteria, with an average surface area of 41.6 m², designed for efficient and functional occupancy, maintaining standards of comfort, natural lighting and ventilation.

The project is EDGE certified in the Post-Construction phase, validating that sustainability strategies were effectively implemented during construction

What makes this project innovative?

The main innovation of the Magnolias IV project lies in integrating advanced sustainability criteria into large scale social housing, demonstrating that it is possible to achieve high levels of environmental efficiency with minimal impact on construction costs.

Among the most relevant aspects, the following stand out:

• The replicability of the model, applicable to both apartment buildings and single-family homes.
• Achieving significant savings in energy, water and materials, far exceeding the minimum requirements of EDGE certification.
• An approximate cost increase of only 0.35%, with a return period of less than one year, reinforcing the economic viability of the sustainable approach to massive housing developments

Impact and strategies applied to the Project

The project complies with the three pillars of EDGE certification, achieving the following global results

Energy efficiency

• Energy savings: 47.26% (EDGE Advanced level).
• EPI reduction from 110 to 57 kWh/m²·year.
• Key Strategies:
  • Reduction of the Window-to-Wall Ratio (14.73%).
  • Optimized thermal insulation on roofs and walls.

Water efficiency

• Water savings: 52.82%, equivalent to ≈ 82.132 m³/year.
• Implemented measures:
  • Energy-efficient showers, faucets and toilets.

Materials and incorporated carbon

• Built-in carbon reduction: 70%.
• Optimization of:
  • Slab systems (lightweight slab with polystyrene blocks).
  • Medium-weight hollow block walls.
  • Selection of finishes and construction systems with a lower carbon footprint.
• Estimated total reduction of ≈ 9,919 tCO²e in incorporated carbon.

Together, the project generates:

• Annual energy savings: ≈ 2,886 MWh.
• Operational CO₂ reduction: ≈ 2,179 tCO²/year.
• Positive impact on more than 3,500 people

The project consolidates itself as a benchmark for sustainable housing in Mexico, demonstrating that energy, water and material efficiency can be successfully integrated into massive housing developments, without compromising economic viability or housing accessibility. Its EDGE Post-Construction certification validates a replicable and scalable approach, capable of generating long-term environmental, social and economic benefits, actively contributing to the reduction of emissions and the improvement of the quality of life of its inhabitants.