The design guideline was clearly marked by the context from the beginning: the priority was to generate a project in harmony with the environment and, at the same time, forceful in its language. In consistency with the concept of the house, simple materials and exposed finishes were chosen, mixing concrete, steel, local stone and structural pine wood. The authenticity of the materials, both inside and outside, is what imbues the spaces with aesthetic value. The luxury of the spatial quality of each of the rooms lies in the subtlety of the design and the intentional orientation of the views towards the forest.
The rugged topography led to a sectional design of the project. In addition to respecting the location of the pre-existing trees, the decision was made to stagger the program in order to take maximum advantage of the slope and to avoid excavating and leveling the terrain much as possible. The built footprint was kept to a minimum, allowing the forest itself to take center stage. The trunks of the pine trees frame the forest views from any point in the house and the connection with nature is equally evident in all the spaces where the green of the leaves can be glimpsed. With its clean lines and sparse materials, this house is an understated retreat that invites reflection and contemplation.
An SPL rainwater harvesting system and a TIM wastewater recycling treatment plant were installed to irrigate the green areas. FSC-certified, laminated pine was used for the structure. As a construction system, wood alone boasts a negative balance of carbon emissions. We were particularly keen on using certified mass timber for this structure, as innovation on engineered laminated wood for structural applications is breaking new ground across the world. In Mexico, the reality is a bit different, most forests are not being sustainably harvested even when local communities are eager to incorporate responsible and sustainable practices, thousands of hectares are still lost to agriculture or urban development every year.
The main volume features a concrete basement clad in stone that contains the service areas, while the floor above showcases the textured concrete wall as the star of the north façade. A stone staircase, almost hiding in plain site against the basement wall, leads to the main door. This side of the house remains closed off for weather protection, while the opposite side includes floor-to-ceiling windows that let in the warmth of the sunlight. The constant visual connection with the forest, as well as the quiet it provides, contribute to the tranquil atmosphere of the space. A sweetgum tree lives within a glass-enclosed central courtyard that physically separates the main public areas while maintaining a visual connection, creating a sense of flowing spaciousness. Concrete floors juxtapose structural laminated pine beams and plywood covered ceilings adding texture and warmth. Smaller details are kept to neutral colors, including black joints and window frames, as well as black and gray furnishings throughout. Clerestory windows keep hallways and rooms filled with natural light. A long hallway connects the living room with the home’s private spaces, which includes three bedrooms. At the other end of the volume, a concrete bungalow is connected to the main house through the covered terrace, which features a jacuzzi. This bungalow houses the TV room and a guest bedroom. Like the main house, it opens to the south, connecting the interior with the exterior.
The project is simple and honest in essence. Instead of existing separately, the structure and the finishes mimic each other; they are one and the same. Sustainable forest management has the potential to encourage the reforestation of areas previously deforested for agriculture and livestock, as is already the case in many regions of the country, with different plant fibers, such as conifers, tropical timber in the southeast and bamboos in the southeast.
Taller paralelo is an architectural firm founded in 2015 by architects Mikel Meriodo (Merodio Arquitectos) and César Flores (CF taller).
They completed a fair number of quite successful projects (Including Casa El Pinar) with different scales of context (physical, economic, social) and typologies, allowing them to experiment with an open and proactive approach.
They were awarded in 2018 with the Silver Medal at the XV Biennial of Mexican Architecture and the Gold Medal at the third Biennial of Young Mexican Architects at Sustainable Building category with the project "Urban Orchard", as well as the Gold Medal at the WWAID World Wide Alliance of Interior Designers 2018 and were recognized as the Revelation of the Year in North America in the same event with the projects "Gifan, Neology and SXKM"; among other awards.
They were part of The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) teaching staff in the Design Area from 2011 to 2018.