Permeable spaces

This family home in the Federal District in Mexico was originally built in 1976 and reinvented in 2013 by studio Paola Calzada Arquitectos. The original home was located to the rear of the property providing a privacy buffer from the nearby road. Orientated to the east the house benefits from the site’s natural scenery, ventilation, thermal and light balance.

Studio Calzada has rationalised the existing with the additions by articulating the horizontal and vertical spatial flows with the exterior – transitioning between the different spaces through courtyards, gardens and terraces. These bonds create crossed views of every room in the house. The major decision was to remove all unnecessary existing components in order to restore the original volumetric value of the house as well as to enhance the original building materials. The contrast between existing and new materials is a constant theme of the project.

The original structure as well as the added structure is left in its bare state to emphasise the contrast between original concrete and the new steel structure. Avoiding styles and favouring a more pure and timeless canvas, old surfacing materials were removed to show up the original structure in its natural state.

The star attraction is the helicoid stair intervention linking the first floor, including all public areas and the private second floor and a lobby which accordingly is roofed by a circular dome. Quite the statement. There is a constant strive to allow open views onto the surrounding environment. To both, the already existing and those introduced by the new design. The permeability of the translucent facades plays an important role in the design of the house, as it interweaves interior and exterior spaces in social and private areas.

Story by Nic-Kaiko Follow him on Instagram kaiko_design

Photos: Jaime Navarro Soto