Casa El Aguacate, a work that blends into the landscape

The first thing is Architect David Martinez It was noted upon arrival at this property at El Barial, Nuevo León, was the prominent presence of avocado trees forming a net along the terrain. In addition to this lush reception, the director of the company architecture practice He also felt how the mountains in the east and west welcomed the place, embracing it with their visible finishes. The environment was special, no doubt.

The house of El Aguacate not only had to respond to the nature around it, but had to be designed within the land in which there were already several dwellings belonging to other members of the same family: for David Martinez it was important to achieve the sense that the new construction had The only one who touches the environment.

“As always happens in this type of weekend house, the client’s idea was born with very simple requirements and increased over time,” explained the architect. “We had a very short period of time to develop the design, however, from the start we focused on how clients would enjoy this place, visiting it frequently before even considering building a home there.” Everything should Fit very naturally.

Family home

To solve the project, the company decided Locating the heart of the house, the social area, is in the middle of the build, as an introduction to express the rest of the spaces. David Martínez emphasized that “this space is the place that receives you and what connects you to the rest of the project”.

Starting with an initial outline of concentric squares, the house design was developed to define a Engineering, programmatic and structural arrangement. All elements form a square that converges to central alcoveas explained by Practica Arquitectura.

Ancillary public and private spaces around the central living room and dining room support the large ceiling with its sheltered gray walls rustic finish. For Martinez, that is Pitched roof with skylight It emphasizes the elegance of the house, and gives it a different feel Gives personality to indoor and outdoor environments.

The rest of the program, the architect explained, is divided into four wings of equal size that rotate around the center “in order to maintain the minimum possible footprint.” So, The kitchen is very solidthe two bedrooms are semi-solid and the terrace, as a complement to the social area, is completely open: “We opened up to be able to integrate the space into the environment and live from it,” adds the architect.

Lights and shadows

Regulates the presence of light and shadows Through various design decisions, such as Ceiling opening and the Vaccination on windows. “For us it was important that the house be comfortable, but not the typical house that opens on all sides,” emphasized the director of Práctica Arquitectura.

Martinez said they wanted to control what is seen and where the light enters to “distinguish what’s going on in each space and make the roads surprising.” Therefore, the arrival shows a very closed house in which only the breaking of the entrance door is perceived. The intention was to keep Surprise interior space And for you to feel something as you enter,” said the architect.

he pyramid roof It culminates in a skylight that allows an “image of living light in space”: and this is it The light moves and changes throughout the dayget one diffused lighting Which causes shadows in the transitions for the rest of the wings. On the other hand, the main end of the space is the large window that overlooks the terrace and offers a wonderful view of the surroundings, but also Take care of the amount of light that gets in.

In the bedrooms only one large square window remains Frame views and let in enough light to feel comfortable. “This type of Sensations of warm light and shadows It becomes apparent when you walk through the whole house,” the architect described. “On reaching the porch, the amount of light is so great that it is good to be accompanied by shadows when you are inside.”

Less is more

The Engineering Bureau describes El Aguacate’s aesthetics as Find the basics. Sober, with sober language and a different look at what they mean The luxury of spaceThe house does not overwhelm the environment, but rather takes inspiration from it to show its own environment constructive nature.

The landscape design was a critical element in the outcome of the project and the way its residents would experience the space. “The landscaping was already provided by the place,” David Martinez replied. The only thing we added is a A couple of small patios which separate the wings and which are part of the auctions for the central part. It was also a good idea for us to build a staircase at ground level so that we can connect to the site and better integrate the house.”

In terms of the furniture that customers choose, the office recommended that it be as neutral as possible so that it matches A simplistic and powerful aesthetic language for architecture.

Although there is deliberate moderation visually, there is a more sophisticated approach that underlies the design that was intended. Rethink the idea of ​​a weekend home from Environmental, social, economic and aesthetic commitment. “It’s a very personal situation,” says the architect. “I think homes are becoming more and more a show of economic capacity or quantity of materials. When discussing it with clients, it was important to everyone that this house Sit comfortably; This does not remind you of home from day to day, nor of the city and that Show where you are“.

Here, the architects wanted the intangible to be the most important thing in the space. they Environments say a lot with littleand the whole house is transformed into the simplest yet emotional Field experience.