Completed in 2023, Enso II, an exquisite petite residence crafted by HW Studio, stands nestled in the heart of Guanajuato, Mexico. With an impressive design that deftly fuses a profound reverence for local history and culture with contemporary aesthetics, this architectural gem cultivates a living experience that seamlessly integrates with its idyllic natural environs.
Enso II House Technical Information
- Architects: HW Studio
- Location: San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico
- Topics: Mexican Houses
- Area: 195.80 m2
- Budget: 300,000.00 USD
- Completed Year: 2023
- Photographs: © Cesar Bejar
The dispersion of these spaces forces a permanent pilgrimage between spaces; it forces contact with the earth, the air, and the mountain, like an ancient monastery framing the landscape, but at the same time forming a natural part of it.
– HW Studio
Enso II House Photographs
HW Studio’s Harmonious Blend of Culture & Architecture in Guanajuato
In the picturesque landscape of Guanajuato, Mexico, HW Studio has meticulously crafted Enso II, a small home that mirrors the beauty of its natural surroundings.
Historical research revealed the unique constructive identity of Guanajuato, visible in its rich architectural heritage, traditional kitchen utensils, majestic aqueducts, and storied legends, such as the hero Pípila, known for carrying a large rock on his back to shield his regiment from bullets.
Stone, deeply rooted in all forms of cultural expression in the region, was the chosen material for this project. Benefiting from a nearby materials bank and skilled labor, the project fostered a respectful dialogue between the artifact and its environment. The entire complex is meticulously organized following a cruciform plan, with stone alleys cross-secting the space into four distinct quadrants.
Each quadrant carries a specific “vocation.” The lower right quadrant, welcoming the inhabitants upon arrival, embraces an endemic garden that nurtures and protects both flora and fauna. The second quadrant caters to the cars, its design thoughtfully preserving trees for their shade. A subtly arched stone wall shields the entrance, obstructs direct views into the house, and accentuates the horizon dominated by a majestic mountain.
The third quadrant nestles a one-bedroom house, its public and private spaces bifurcated by a unit housing bathroom, a dressing room, and a service area, deviating from the open floor plan. Lastly, the fourth quadrant is home to the office, a stark vertical element, playfully contrasting the horizontal expanse of the landscape, reminiscent of the iconic volumes of the Santa Brígida mine in Mineral de Pozos.
This spatial dispersion encourages continuous movement, compelling interaction with the earth, air, and mountain. It mirrors an ancient monastery framing the landscape while being a harmonious part of it, a perfect example of thoughtful architectural design.
Enso II Plans
Enso II Image Gallery
About HW Studio
Established amidst a violent outbreak in 2018 in Morelia, Mexico, HW Studio emerged with a mission to infuse both Eastern and Western artistic and philosophical principles into architectural processes, crafting spaces that echo and enhance the country’s endangered peace. Each project embarks with an in-depth understanding of the client, the site, and the firm itself, underpinned by a meditation technique that enables the formation and design of spaces embodying serenity, tranquility, and silence in our increasingly chaotic world.
The studio continuously endeavors to enhance the appreciation of life’s true essence, stripping away the non-essential from architecture to achieve inner peace through mindful contemplation. HW Studio envisages and relentlessly pursues the creation of an architecture that instills silence, offering fleeting glimpses of tranquility. The name, HW Studio, is a blend of the silent Spanish letter ‘H,’ symbolizing silence graphically, and the ‘W’ from the ineffable Japanese concept of Wabi Sabi, where words often obstruct comprehension.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Lead Architect: Rogelio Vallejo Bores
- Architect: Oscar Didier Ascencio Castro
- Team: Nik Zaret Cervantes Ordaz
- Clients: Cem Turgu y Adriana Alegria
