Architects: TACO Taller de Arquitectura Contextual
Area: 42 m²
Year: 2019
Photographs:
Manufacturers: CASTEL, Comex, Tecnolite, Trivasa, URREA
Architectural Project: TACO Taller de Arquitectura Contextual
Interior Design Project: TACO Taller de Arquitectura Contextual
Landscape Design Project: TACO Taller de Arquitectura Contextual
Builder: TACO Taller de Arquitectura Contextual
General Team: Carlos Patrón Ibarra, Alejandro Patrón Sansor, Ana Patrón Ibarra, Estefanía Rivero Janssen, Joaquín Muñoz Olivera
Country: Mexico
Monte House, designed by TACO – Taller de Arquitectura Contextual in southeastern Mexico, is a 42 m² vacation home for a young couple, designed to foster reflection and connection with the wild landscape. Positioned at the back of the property for privacy and noise control, the house is elevated on a platform to prevent access by unwanted animals and simplify pool construction on rocky terrain. The layout includes a double-height social area with a kitchenette, living room, and mezzanine bedroom, along with a storage closet, bathroom with outdoor shower, and exterior staircase. A shaded pool sits beneath a pre-existing tree, accessible from an open terrace. The orthogonal volume features rough stucco finishes with handcrafted lime-based paint, while folding cedarwood doors with operable louvers regulate indoor-outdoor interaction. The interior incorporates raw-toned artisanal design pieces, and the surrounding landscape remains mostly untouched, showcasing the natural rocky terrain.
Architecture is about creating shelters for people in specific places. The place itself is always a key element in our work.
Interview with Carlos Patrón Ibarra of TACO Taller de Arquitectura Contextual
Monte House is a compact vacation home designed for a young couple, set within the wild landscape of southeastern Mexico. The project aims to create a reflective and contemplative space that fosters a strong connection between the occupants and their natural surroundings. The design prioritizes an intuitive, functional, and simple living experience while maintaining a sense of spatial warmth.
The building is positioned at the back of the property to enhance privacy and minimize noise disturbances. Its orientation is carefully planned to optimize sunlight exposure and take advantage of dominant winds, ensuring a comfortable indoor temperature.
The structure is elevated on a platform above ground level, preventing access by unwanted animals and facilitating the construction of the pool, as the rocky terrain made excavation unfeasible. The pool is positioned in the shade of a pre-existing tree and is accessed through an open terrace that extends from the interior social area. This double-height space includes a kitchenette, a living room, and a staircase leading to a mezzanine that functions as a bedroom. Beneath the mezzanine, the layout incorporates a storage closet, a bathroom with an outdoor shower, and an exterior staircase leading to the house entrance. The platform beneath the structure accommodates a warehouse and a machine room, while the total covered area amounts to 42 m².
The volumetry follows an orthogonal form with contrasting materiality. Both the exterior and interior surfaces feature rough stucco finishes, complemented by artisanal paint made from lime and mineral pigments. The carpentry incorporates folding cedarwood doors with operable louvers, enabling users to regulate the level of interaction between the interior and exterior spaces.
The interior design consists of a collection of pieces in crude tones, incorporating handcrafted techniques in their production. The surrounding landscape remains largely in its natural state, allowing the rocky terrain that supports the structure to remain visible and integrated into the design.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: Southeast of Mexico, Mexico
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
