Casa Itambe

Before the Spanish conquest, Mexican architecture was one of ceremonial cities, imposing pyramids like the one at Teotihuacán, and Mayan and Aztec dwellings crafted from natural materials like raw earth and wood. With the arrival of the Spanish in the 16^th century, Mexican architecture was profoundly transformed, blending European styles with local traditions. This intermingling is clearly evident in the work of architects like Luis Barragán, Carlos Mijares, and Ricardo Legorreta who turned Mexican cities into a manifesto of the country’s hybrid identity. The work of Barragán especially can be read as containing a phenomenological characteristic: his architecture triggers emotions and exudes a spirituality, the play of light and color creating an uncanny sense of illusion. Barragán determined to de-construct the traditional “box building”. Refuting the compact volume, walls and partitions become theatrical screens that capture and redirect natural light, transforming living spaces as the day proceeds. His “diaphragms” have a strong illusory force in the strict sense of the word (from the Latin illudere, a combination of the intensive in and ludere, to play), indicating a perceptive phenomenon that distorts reality or creates a deceptive impression.

The Casa Itambe project by Mexican firm 304 Arquitectura can be seen as following this same vein. Illusion is here created around two key aspects: first, the impression that the house is in the midst of a natural oasis while in fact, it is located in metropolitan Mexico City; second, the illusion of being suspended in mid-air among the tree tops while being solidly attached to its structural supports.

Casa Itambe slides effortlessly into its steep hillside location where an old building of no artistic value was demolished to make way for this contemporary residence that dialogues with its natural context....

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