wood and concrete volumes form seaside retreat by taller alberto calleja / TAC in mexico

Architect Marc Pascal has transformed an existing rooftop in Mexico City's Roma neighborhood into a serene 84 sqm semi-outdoor living space, aptly named the ROMA rooftop. The design incorporates ochre tones and lush vegetation to create a timeless, desert-like environment for an apartment within an existing residential building. The project emphasizes the use of bespoke furniture and materials intended to age gracefully. The ROMA rooftop is divided into two primary areas: a narrow access corridor and a spacious outdoor living room. The corridor provides a private entry sequence, featuring tall walls designed to evoke an 'urban ruin.' These walls are treated with a mixture of paints and pigments to achieve a rusty finish, reflecting the architect's intention to utilize low-maintenance materials that withstand varying weather conditions and develop character over time. This transitional space is further enhanced by numerous clay planters and plant pots, immediately establishing the desert aesthetic. Upon traversing the corridor, one enters the semi-outdoor living room. This area is distinguished by a modular metallic structure covered with a charred timber roof, offering protection and a distinct visual element. Beneath this roof, the space is multifunctional, accommodating a contemplative garden, a dedicated workspace, and a comfortable lounge area. The design thoughtfully integrates custom-made elements, including a cast concrete counter and a suspended wood-burning stove crafted from rusted steel. These custom pieces are complemented by a selection of mid-century furniture and art, chosen in collaboration with the client. An accent wall, featuring a bluish-ochre gradient pigment, introduces a contrasting color against the dominant sepia tones of the project. Additionally, the slender metal columns supporting the roof structure frame picturesque views of the Mexico City skyline, enhancing the outdoor experience. The plant selection, a significant aspect of the design, was largely guided by the client's passion for collecting plants, with advisory input from the architect and landscaper. The project details confirm that ROMA rooftop is located in Mexico City, with Marc Pascal Pontón as the lead architect from Marc Pascal ODA. Carlos Resendíz contributed to the first stage of the project, and Aldaba Jardines / Thalía Davidoff were responsible for the landscape design. The 84 sqm project was completed in 2020. Photography credits go to Camila Cossio and Maureen Evans. #RooftopDesign #MexicoCityArchitecture #ResidentialDesign #OutdoorLiving #DesertInspired #TimelessDesign #MarcPascal #TerraceDesign

Meandre, a Russian architecture firm, has developed a novel single-family house called 'Shelldom' located in the northern countryside of Spain. This design redefines traditional house layouts by inverting the typical space-planning approach. Instead of rooms branching off a central common area, the 'Shelldom' features a common corridor that encircles all rooms, which are conceptualized as separate, shell-shaped dwelling cells. This innovative layout ensures enhanced privacy for the bedrooms, as their windows open exclusively into an internal garden space. The transparent design of other rooms, such as the living and dining areas, incorporates glazing on all sides to maximize natural light. The orientation of the suites is specifically engineered to receive morning sunlight, while the living and dining areas are designed to capture evening sun. A key aspect of this layout is that while the common corridor offers direct access to a central courtyard, individual rooms do not, further contributing to the privacy of the internal spaces. The architectural design of 'Shelldom' arises from a blend of functional requirements and bioclimatic considerations, resulting in a distinct and memorable aesthetic. The exterior facade is characterized by a geometry of simple lines and arches, visually articulating the internal functions of the house. Each room is topped with a dome roof, which serves multiple purposes: it expands the internal volume, allows for increased penetration of natural light, and contributes to the unique silhouette of the structure. This project was submitted through Designboom's 'DIY submissions' feature, highlighting its innovative nature in residential architecture. The design philosophy behind 'Shelldom' prioritizes privacy, natural light, and a unique aesthetic derived from its functional and environmental integration. The house's distinctive form and innovative space-planning layout offer a fresh perspective on contemporary living in a countryside setting. #MeandreArchitecture #ShellShapedHouse #SpainArchitecture #InnovativeLayout #ResidentialDesign #BioclimaticArchitecture #NaturalLight #DomeRoof

Di Frenna arquitectos designed Espacio Kaab, a residential project situated adjacent to the historic Nogueras hacienda in Colima, Mexico. This hacienda, initially a sugar production site in the early 1700s, later became associated with the family of internationally acclaimed artist Alejandro Rangel Hidalgo in the 1940s and continues to be a significant landmark within the community. The architectural design of Espacio Kaab thoughtfully addresses its historical context, providing views towards the hacienda as a nod to its location and integrating design elements influenced by the property's rich past. Faced with the challenge of building in an area steeped in history, cultural significance, and architectural heritage, Di Frenna arquitectos embraced the site's unique characteristics. The design of Espacio Kaab consciously interacts with the hacienda, framing specific vistas towards the historical grounds. The project also incorporates more tangible references to the hacienda's influence, utilizing ancient construction techniques and materials originally employed in the complex. This approach fostered community involvement in Comala, leveraging ancestral knowledge in crafts developed by Rangel himself, such as ironwork and woven reed ceilings, which infuse the residence with a distinct identity. Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by the captivating natural environment, characterized by arid vegetation, cacti, stones, and earthy tones, creating a sense of immersion and contrast with the region's typically vibrant flora. The architectural layout was developed organically with the landscape, offering a spatial solution that responded to the terrain's specific requirements and nuances. The guiding principles throughout the design process were to respect the topography, adapt to the setting, and achieve harmony with the environment, resulting in a home that feels seamlessly integrated into its natural surroundings. The project blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces through strategically placed patios, terraces, contained gardens, and unique views of the river and canyon. The core design concept aimed to create an environment where the boundaries between interior and exterior dissolve, allowing the natural colors and textures of the surroundings to blend with the building's palette. This is exemplified by the seamless transition from indoor to outdoor, enabling occupants to walk barefoot across natural stone floors without a perceptible change in environment. To achieve this, the architects employed a primary palette of raw, natural tones. Materials were often sourced locally from Comala, notably the rammed earth used for walls. Other distinctive finishes, such as the eggshell-colored chukum stucco, reflect ancient Mexican construction techniques. The incorporation of local palm wood, river stone, woven carrizo ceilings, and artisanal blacksmithing further reinforces the connection to the land and the local craftsmanship championed by Rangel. While honoring these traditional elements, the design also introduces modern techniques and innovative structural solutions, bridging historical crafts with contemporary architectural practices. Espacio Kaab is a collaborative effort, with Matia Di Frenna Müller and Mariana de la Mora Padilla leading the project team. The residence serves as a testament to integrating historical context, local craftsmanship, and environmental sensitivity within a modern dwelling. It demonstrates how traditional materials and building methods, combined with innovative design, can create a home that is both deeply rooted in its place and forward-thinking in its approach to sustainable and harmonious living. #MexicanArchitecture #RammedEarth #Chukum #LocalMaterials #HaciendaDesign #SustainableArchitecture #DiFrennaArquitectos #ColimaMexico #ResidentialArchitecture

In response to increasing climate concerns, architects are focusing on designing homes and cabins with minimal environmental impact. This trend includes tiny mobile homes that do not require extensive foundations, as well as structures that integrate with existing natural landscapes. An example of this approach is Weber Arquitectos’ Rancho San Simón, a collection of five holiday cabins located in Mexico’s Valle de Bravo, a popular weekend destination. These cabins are constructed primarily from volcanic stone and designed to incorporate the surrounding forest's trees into their living spaces. The Rancho San Simón complex spans a 5,000 m2 forested area, with its five cabins strategically positioned to weave around the existing trees, minimizing disruption to the natural environment. The design of these cabins allows for tree trunks and canopies to become integral parts of the structure, particularly in patios and terraces, creating an impression that the cabins emerged naturally from the ground. The semi-outdoor pitched roofs of the cabins are designed to follow the forest's sloped terrain, forming deep terraces with high ceilings that evoke the feeling of forest caverns. Each cabin at Rancho San Simón features its own terrace that visually merges with the trees, offering unique viewpoints from every window. Expansive windows extend from the floor to the high ceilings, framed by treated wood lattices that filter natural sunlight. While the primary construction material is volcanic stone, the internal structure utilizes local pine trees, providing a warm contrast to the grey exterior through hearty wooden beams and pillars. The interior finishes, predominantly in white oak, contribute to a sense of warmth, establishing the cabins as inviting havens within the dense forest setting. The design philosophy emphasizes integration with nature, ensuring that both the aesthetic and functional aspects of the cabins are in harmony with their sylvan surroundings. #cabinDesign #cabinInTheWoods #sustainableArchitecture #volcanicStone #ecoFriendlyDesign #weberArquitectos #mexico #architecturalIntegration #minimalFootprint