El Aguacate

Práctica Arquitectura

Short description

The design of this weekend retreat was born from a deep appreciation for the surrounding landscape and a desire to create a space that was both restful and meaningful for the clients. Despite the tight timeframe and strict constraints, the design team focused on developing a concept that would not only honor and accentuate the site's natural beauty but also provide a sense of intimacy and connection to it. In this way, the project sought the greatest adherence to the client's guidelines.

Under the zenithal light that enters through the roof of the 4.5 meter high central space of the house, its inhabitants can enjoy the surrounding landscape through the large windows that end in two of its perimeter patios and a large terrace that extends into the terrain by means of vegetated platforms. The rooms and services located in three cells that are articulated around the central space replicate the visual experience of closeness to the environment and distant views while maintaining a compact footprint of the building and a discreet presence on the site.

"El Aguacate" seeks to be the interface between its inhabitants and the place in which it is deployed; a welcoming space for rest and coexistence whose composition made up of interconnected courtyards and volumes allows the free flow of wind, natural light and circulations.

From an initial scheme of concentric squares, the design of the house develops by defining a geometric, programmatic and structural order that was later subverted to increase the size of the terrace and thus improve its comfort. All the elements work. The public and private spaces around the living room and central dining room support the large roof with its gray block walls protected by a rustic polished finish. The sobriety and solidity of the exterior together with the landscape design in apparent stone accentuate the stony and monolithic appearance of the house, dialoguing through color and textures with the intense green color of the garden and the extensive character of the site.

The team also focused on bioclimatic strategies to regulate the interior temperature of the house. The design included features for entry and control of natural light and ventilation to maximize energy efficiency and reduce the need for mechanical heating and cooling systems.

To the extent that the differences between the experience of "city" and "country" are blurred by means of transportation and the operational flexibility provided by digital connectivity, we felt it was important to rethink the idea of a weekend house from the environmental, social, economic and aesthetic commitment to provide only what is necessary. We seek to show that the good approach and execution of an idea, regardless of the scale and budget, allows us to say a lot with little.