House Near El Cerro De Chipinque

Text description provided by architect.

The site for this single family residence is located immediately alongside the northern ridge of “El Cerro de Chipinque” in the Sierra Madre Oriental range in the state of Nuevo Leon in northeast Mexico.

In the configuration of the residence, interior and exterior spaces are defined primarily by vertical planes of concrete, sliding in and out of the house to define interior and exterior zones for living, exploring the themes of Transparency and Penetration.

The texture and color of the granite allude to the visible rock peaks of the mountain range looming above. More monochromatic cut stone was used for flooring.

While the wood and stone components are largely expressed as simple cubic forms, the plasticity inherent in concrete is expressed and articulated with more complexity -- forming portals, generating negative space, and framing views.

Passive solar design is employed to manage solar gain. Rain is harvested from the roof and stored for irrigation and decorative fountains. “Permanent” materials are used for lifecycle longevity, including a decay-resistant wood species on the exterior.