Casa TOC

Tapalpa, Mexico

Photo © Marcos García

Photo © Mito Covarrubias

Single Houses

Architects: Elias Rizo Arquitectos

Location: Tapalpa, Mexico
Year: 2006

This singular vacation house is located near Tapalpa in a secluded wooded area. The house adapts to its context through two rectangular volumes that define the usage areas. The first volume is where all daytime activities happen; the entrance, dining room, kitchen, living room, and terrace. This volume is elevated, generating a dialog with the surrounding forest. The second volume contains the private areas. The bedrooms are connected by a corridor with a horizontal window that frames the forest outside. The space between the two volumes is articulated through an entrance hall built out of flagstone and wood walls. These regional materials generate a feeling of absolute respect for the surrounding context.

The goal of this project was to redefine the concept of a typical country house of the region. This request by the client, a young family in search of a holiday retreat outside the city, was a fundamental aspect for the outcome of this work.