An underground house in Mexico looks at the sky

A few hours from Mexico City, a house enclosed in the belly of the earth embraces the landscape and seals a mystical pact between architecture and nature.

In order to relate as delicately as possible to its natural surroundings, framed by wooded mountains and carpeted with avocado fields, architect Francisco Pardo literally chose to make this holiday home for a young couple disappear into the belly of Pachamama, the Mother Earth of Central American cultures which covers the construction.

The partially hypogeal house is built into the hill over which it stands with a green roof from which avocado trees emerge: a solution which is effective both from a landscape and technology point of view, as it offers optimal internal thermal conditions in an area subject to considerable fluctuations, thanks to the earth on the roof which acts as insulation and keeps the home at a constantly mild temperature.

Inside, the volume set in the ground unfolds like a large container in exposed concrete with a functional and flexible layout thanks to the reduced partitions. The central living area gives access to a panoramic terrace with a whirlpool tub and views of the forest and connects the various adjacent rooms: the kitchen, dining room and living room, the bedrooms (the master, children's and two guest bedrooms) and the study.

On the opposite side, a patio dug into the ground provides further access and a second source of natural light and ventilation.

The interiors are characterised by a sober design with minimal maintenance requirements but which is nevertheless attractive: the exposed concrete structure combines with walls covered in Chukum, a natural stucco from the Yucatan region, and recycled raw pine wood; custom-made furnishings - the kitchen, the black metal fireplace - declare meticulous attention to detail and the desire to characterise an essential, almost monastic, but warm and welcoming space.

Francisco Pardo Arquitecto, Casa Aguacates, Valle de Bravo, Messico 2021. Photo Diego Padilla
Francisco Pardo Arquitecto, Casa Aguacates, Valle de Bravo, Messico 2021. Photo Diego Padilla

An outdoor cabin made of recycled wood, which serves as a storage area and observation point, offers spectacular views of the area.

Lastly, as the couple are hang-gliding enthusiasts, the sky is the "fifth façade" which is fully included in the composition, thanks to privileged views framing zenithal vistas which contribute to creating the suggestion of an amniotic and dreamy atmosphere, suspended between the earth and the sky.

Francisco Pardo Arquitecto, Casa Aguacates, Valle de Bravo, Messico 2021. Foto Diego Padilla
Francisco Pardo Arquitecto, Casa Aguacates, Valle de Bravo, Messico 2021. Foto Diego Padilla
Project:
Casa Aguacates
Architect:
Francisco Pardo Arquitecto
Project team:
Francisco Pardo, Wilfrido Estrada, Karen Burkart, Rosa Medrano, Catalina Lombardo, Joanne Elliott, Nayeli Mendez, Ivan Saucedo, Julián Román Ramirez, Renato Torres
Structural engineer:
Luis David Moctezuma
Electric installation:
Alejandro Moctezuma, Banah de México
Client:
private
Suppliers:
Wall finishing: Chukum; lighting: LUZ DESIGN, Saul Bonilla; furniture: La Metropolitana

Latest on Architecture

Latest on Domus

Read more
China Germany India Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Sri Lanka Korea icon-camera close icon-comments icon-down-sm icon-download icon-facebook icon-heart icon-heart icon-next-sm icon-next icon-pinterest icon-play icon-plus icon-prev-sm icon-prev Search icon-twitter icon-views icon-instagram