A Contemporary Transformation in Valle de Bravo
Mexican architecture studio Chain + Siman has masterfully crafted Casa Ani, a 689-square-metre weekend retreat in Valle de Bravo, outside of Mexico City. Seamlessly merging contemporary design with historical elements, Casa Ani features a trio of modern gables connected to a stone-clad bunkhouse.
Inspired by a traditional gabled structure that once stood on the property, the architects created a single-roofed house using stone and timber. This is juxtaposed with a striking three-gabled form enveloped in sleek black standing-seam metal.
“Casa Ani grew out of a dialogue between old and new,” explain Chain + Siman. The home reflects an intricate conversation through its materials—stone against metal, tile against steel, and the convergence of historical weight with modern lightness.
Design Features and Aesthetic Details
The primary entrance opens through the largest of the glass gables. Inside, the east-facing side houses social areas beneath independent A-frame roofs raised above expansive floor-to-ceiling windows.
“Dark metal cladding frames inclined wooden planes, creating a lightweight and rhythmic facade,” the studio elaborates. This repetition of A-frame roofs lends dynamism to the structure, with extensive glazing revealing open social spaces.
For other examples of bold architectural designs integrating historical elements, see Bold Design Meets History in Brandenburg for a modern revival of a centenary home.
The center of the living room focuses on a black-steel fireplace against warm-toned engineered wood, overlooking an inviting outdoor seating area and pool.
Perpendicularly aligned, the two-story stone building stretches along the eastern axis. Housing the bedrooms, it presents a largely solid facade to the street. A significant window disrupts this solidity, framing a double-height space complemented by a steel staircase, contrasting mass and transparency.
Inside the stone building, a welcoming family room with a built-in lounging platform connects to a secondary suite and service spaces. Above, three suites extend the sleeping quarters, featuring double porches along the form’s length.
Integrating Nature and Technology
Surrounded by Pedro Sánchez Paisajismo‘s landscape design, the exterior features olive trees, flowering species, and an orchard, blending seamlessly into the nearby forest.
Explore how a different architectural approach in Mexico utilizes natural landscapes with Chile’s Coastal Home by Loft7 harmonizing brutalism with nature.
The residence employs a sustainable off-grid strategy using solar panels on the south-facing roofs, ensuring energy autonomy while maintaining architectural cohesion. These elements reduce visual and environmental impact alike.
Valle de Bravo, a favorite holiday locale on the banks of Lake Avándaro, hosts several geometric designs, including works by Sordo Madaleno, Fernanda Canales, and Pedro & Juana. The photography credit goes to Rafael Gamo.
Source: dezeen.com
Frequently asked questions
What architectural style does Casa Ani incorporate?
Casa Ani merges contemporary design with historical elements, featuring a striking three-gabled form enveloped in sleek black standing-seam metal alongside stone and timber elements.
How does Casa Ani integrate nature?
The residence is surrounded by Pedro Sánchez Paisajismo’s landscape design, featuring olive trees, flowering species, and an orchard, which blend seamlessly into the nearby forest. Solar panels on the south-facing roofs support energy autonomy.
Who designed Casa Ani in Valle de Bravo?
Casa Ani was designed by the Mexican architecture studio Chain + Siman.