Casa Cieno central pool and architecture”>
Situated in the El Vigía area of Puerto Escondido on Mexico’s Oaxaca coast, Casa Cieno stands as a remarkable fusion of architecture and nature, crafted by TAC Taller Alberto Calleja. This exemplifies the unique elements of the region’s architectural style, emphasizing a blend of environment and design. Set on a 1,500-square-metre plot, the house shifts traditional coastal living inward, emphasizing greenery, patios, and water instead of the sea view.
The architectural design seamlessly incorporates the surrounding landscape, with green patios enveloping the central structure. A striking feature is the central pool, designed as the organizing axis of the home, accompanied by a circular opening above it that frames the sky in captivating ways.
Oaxaca Coast Architecture: A Diagonal Volume Envelops in Greenery
The residence’s main volume is uniquely rotated diagonally on the property, creating lush green patios that act as natural filters, offering privacy and a connection to the landscape without turning away from it. This orientation cultivates an enclosed world of vegetation and framed openness that beckons inward.
Concrete and Wood Harmonize with the Coast
The minimalist material palette, featuring exposed concrete and wood, complements the Oaxacan coastal climate. This is a signature of coastal architecture in the region, where materials age gracefully, allowing nature to shape them over time. Concrete shapes the form, while wood softens it, bringing warmth and balance.
For another breathtaking architectural design embracing nature, explore the Spiraling Oasis at GP House by AtelierM, where concrete blends with natural elements.
The Roof Integrates with Nature
Casa Cieno’s design extends beyond traditional spaces into a verdant rooftop, transforming into a livable extension with views toward the sea and mountains. This planted roof helps restore green space, offering environmental benefits like natural cooling, reducing the structural footprint.
The Pool as the Heart of the Home
With the residence centered around a rectangular pool, this body of water becomes the focal point, visually and spatially. It segments the social and private areas, with floating pathways guiding movement, reinforcing its integral role in connecting spaces. Another expression of coastal living design, the pool brings a sense of cohesion to the home’s design.
A Circular Skylight Brings the Sky Indoors
The circular skylight above transforms the central courtyard, allowing sunlight to dance across the water, visually marking the passage of time. It introduces an experiential layer, connecting the inhabitant with the natural rhythm of the day.
Wooden Elements Warm the Concrete Interior
Inside, the synergy of concrete with wood and woven textures brings warmth and character. The kitchen and dining areas feature wooden elements with earthy tones, enhancing the natural ambiance. Window slats filter light, opening views to the lush surroundings, reminiscent of mediterranean architecture styles coupled with regional principles.
Incorporating local architectural techniques can be seen in the innovative design of futuristic hotels around the world, where tradition meets cutting-edge innovation.
The timber-framed entrances connect indoor spaces with covered outdoor areas, extending the living experience into nature, portraying a relaxed aesthetic where architecture and landscape merge harmoniously.
Water-Centric Floor Plan
Casa Cieno’s layout pivots around its central patio and pool, situating public and private areas on opposing sides, demonstrating strategic aspects of local architectural techniques. Circulation paths interact with water features, surrounded by lush patios that delineate the property’s borders, adding a dynamic spatial relationship to the site.
Casa Cieno reimagines coastal living by creating a self-contained sanctuary that thrives on its internal landscape. Without a beachfront position, TAC Taller Alberto Calleja crafts a narrative of vegetation, water, and sky, welded into a cohesive and breathtaking dwelling on Oaxaca’s coast, showcasing the nuanced beauty of this distinctive architectural style.
Photography by Cesar Belio | Architects: TAC Taller Alberto Calleja | Landscape: Hugo Sánchez
Sources & Links
Source: contemporist.com
Frequently asked questions
What is unique about Casa Cieno’s architectural design?
Casa Cieno’s design emphasizes a blend of architecture and nature, with a central pool as the organizing axis and green patios enveloping the central structure, offering a private connection to the landscape.
What materials are used in Casa Cieno’s construction?
The house features a minimalist material palette of exposed concrete and wood, designed to complement the Oaxacan coastal climate.
How does Casa Cieno incorporate its surrounding landscape?
Casa Cieno integrates the surrounding landscape by creating lush green patios and a verdant rooftop, which act as natural filters and restore green space, blending architecture seamlessly with nature.