Casa Diaz

1. December 2011

The plot of land for this project is adjoined to a large lake in a small town a few hours from Mexico City. In order to maximise the relationship with its setting, a system of long, rectangular structural shapes were decided upon, with one side completely open looking towards the lake. The unlevel land and the quantity of programmed activities gave rise to the creation of three zigzagging, topped structures to obtain large, open terraces and irregular patios protected by one another. The house is perceived from the town’s street as being a traditional one; the use of tiles, wood, worked and natural stone, with small openings, gives it the regional character required by the town planning indications. Viewed from the lake, the house presents itself as a composite of rectangular elements with extensive glass surfaces; like a series of typically modernist structural shapes, stacked up into a dynamic configuration.

View from the lake

What were the circumstances under which you received the commission for this project?

A friend and his family had a plot of land in Valle de Bravo, a small town about two hours from Mexico City, and wanted to build a new house with the space and programme that were required in that moment.

View above the lateral staircase

Please describe your design process for the building.

In general, our design process is based on a series of intuitive ideas with which we later attempt to corroborate in relation to the programme, the context, lighting, ventilation, etc. This was the process in the case of this house.

Aerial View

In what way did the place influence the project?

The site is unique and special, as much in its topography as its typological determining factors. Hence, it strongly influenced the design strategy and the urban image of the house.

View from the street

How does the finished building compare with the project design? Were there any drastic changes between the two and/or were any lessons learned during the construction?

There were barely any changes made between the project and the finished house; only adjustments during the work in progress, above all in finished interiors, lighting and chancellery criteria.
One always learns things during the construction process.

Architectural Plants

How does the building relate to contemporary architectural tendencies, whether being in relations to sustainability, technology, etc.?

We don’t know if there is necessarily a relationship between our project and contemporary architectural tendencies; we believe in our responsibility as architects towards the city, the client, the times in which we live, the context. Obviously, part of these responsibilities has to do with technology and the careful consideration of the environmental impact of our projects.

E-Mail Interview conducted by Bernhard Althof

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Casa Diaz
2011
Valle de Bravo
Estado de México

Client
Familia Diaz

Architect
PRODUCTORA
(Carlos Bedoya, Wonne Ickx, Victor Jaime, Abel Perles)

Project Team
Félix Guillén
Diego Escamilla
Oscar Trejo
Iván Villegas

Constructor
Diseño e Ingenierías EMET
(Leonardo León)

Surface Area of Site
520 m2

Surface Area of Building
450 m2

Photos
Rafael Gamo