CASA CIELO is not just a house; it’s a thoughtful interplay between nature and architectural design. Created by COA arquitectura the project is situated in Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, Jalisco. Nestled within a subdivision inside a forested area, the house blurs the boundaries between its built environment and the lush forest surrounding it.
Casa Cielo Technical Information
- Architects1-4: COA arquitectura
- Location: Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, Jalisco, Mexico
- Topics: Mexican Houses
- Area: 476 m2
- Project Year: 2017 – 2020
- Photographs: © César Béjar Studio
The house is both a transitional space between the street-city and the forest, and a refuge from both. It adopts its lot’s triangular shape, aiming for a calm integration with the landscape.
– COA architects
Casa Cielo Photographs
CASA CIELO: Balance of Privacy and Integration with Nature
Tucked into a subdivision with neighbors barely three meters apart on each side, CASA CIELO faces the unique challenge of ensuring privacy while maximizing the natural scenery. The rear of the house confronts an oak tree reservation, offering a view that is simultaneously expansive and limited due to the density of the trunks and canopies.
The architects envisioned the house as a transitional space—bridging the gap between the urban realm and the forest while also acting as a sanctuary from both. The transition is not merely physical but psychological; upon entering the home, the foyer and the murmur of water provide an immediate sense of calm and detachment from the outside world.
Crossing the threshold, a vestibule confronts visitors with a staircase that descends to the basement or ascends to the upper floor. Just three steps further, the spatial composition opens up into the living and dining areas, designed with a straight, clear view of the forest. This line of sight continues into the master bedroom and bathroom, manifesting the concept of ‘bringing the forest inside.’
The upper floor harbors two additional bedrooms that open laterally to the exterior through semi-closed courtyards. This clever arrangement allows the building volume to remain as minimally perforated as possible, thus maintaining a sense of privacy and enclosure.
Taking full advantage of its lot, CASA CIELO mimics the triangular shape of the property. The structure is conceived as a carved volume, punctuated only by openings and transitional courtyards that facilitate the flow between the interior and exterior spaces. With the employment of a single building material, the architecture seeks a peaceful integration with the natural landscape, achieving a sense of tranquility and unity.
CASA CIELO by COA arquitectura is a testament to thoughtful architectural practice. It shows how limitations can be transformed into opportunities for innovation. By embracing its natural surroundings while providing a haven from both the city and the forest, this house serves as an exemplar of residential design that respects both context and occupant.
Casa Cielo Plans
Casa Cielo Image Gallery
About COA arquitectura
COA arquitectura is a Mexico-based architectural firm renowned for its innovative approach to design that harmonizes built environments with their natural and urban contexts. Led by Arq. Francisco Gutiérrez Peregrina, the firm specializes in a wide range of projects, from residential to commercial, each embodying a unique blend of form and function.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Principal: Arq. Francisco Gutiérrez Peregrina
- Construction: Miguel Castro, Fabrica
- Collaborators: Arq. Patricia Enríquez Cortés, Arq. Diana Quiroz Chávez, Mtro. Román Valencia, Arq. Juan Pablo Pérez, Arq. Diego Malo
- Structural Engineer: CEROMOTION, Ing. Juan Jesús Aguirre
