#RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS
grupo arquitectura hides casa basaltica in mexico city behind fortress-like façade
in a residential suburb of mexico city, local practice grupo arquitectura has designed ‘casa basaltica’, an open and inviting home that simultaneously presents a fortress-like façade to the passing street.
while exterior elevations feature hardly any openings, the internal partitions are glazed, with balconies and terraces arranged around a secluded garden. the dwelling is comprised of three levels: an underground basement that includes car parking, laundry facilities, and mechanical equipment; a communal ground floor containing open-plan living accommodation; and the upper storey, which houses bedrooms and more private areas.
the entire building is a combination of concrete and steel, with a basalt stone named ‘basaltina’ used throughout the scheme’s walls. aluminum screens are used in tandem with low-E glass to regulate the internal temperature and provide a layer of sunlight protection. granite extends across much of the home’s flooring, while walnut and marble are also used. ‘we looked to use the minimum of materials and the colors are in a palette of gray, contrasting with the walnut woods and calacata (marble) in the bathrooms,’ explains the design team. ‘all the volumes of the house are intersections between concrete and basaltina. we let the furniture, gardens, and art color the space.’
the house provides its inhabitants with automated systems for lighting, audio, security, and irrigation, while photovoltaic panels and thermal storage tanks offer considerable energy savings. the orientation of the structure ensures that a minimal amount of artificial light is required throughout the day.
