The Higueras House by COA arquitectura: Nature-Inspired Design

The Higueras House, designed by Mexican architecture studio COA arquitectura, is a stunning residential project completed in 2020. Nestled within a lush, jungle-like landscape rich in trees and vegetation, the house’s unique shape was carefully crafted to respond to the existing tree conditions and take full advantage of the site’s natural beauty. The design offers both privacy and stunning views, with carefully placed windows and outdoor spaces that blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment. The result is a harmonious, serene living space that seamlessly integrates the natural world into modern architecture.

Higueras House Technical Information

• Architects^1&2: COA arquitectura
• Location: Chacala, Nayarit, Mexico
• Topics: Beach House, Mexican Houses, Vernacular Architecture
• Construction: Jorge Rangel Carmona
• Area: 555 m²
• Project Year: 2018 – 2020
• Photographs: © César Béjar Studio

The floor plan acquires a broken shape as a result of the geometry of the land and the aperture intentions to the exterior spaces, which are created around the fig trees and other vegetation preventing direct views to the neighbors. – COA arquitectura

 Higueras House Photographs

Text by the Architects

One hundred meters away from the sea and next to an inner street of a private housing development, in a wild and deep jungle land, a house to be inhabited 24/7 by a family of 4 and their visits. The trees and vegetation are abundant; fig trees stand out for its size and shape of the trunks, roots, and branches. The house is located at the back, taking advantage of the frontal vegetation seeking privacy, and complementing it with landscape and gravel. A route is generated from the street access and garage all the way into the house. You enter by a palapa that is mainly for social use and, and through a lower volume with a shoe compartment, you access the “closed” day area of the house. The floor plan acquires a broken shape as a result of the geometry of the land and the aperture intentions to the exterior spaces, which are created around the fig trees and other vegetation preventing direct views to the neighbors. On the ground floor, the interior spaces open to porticoes that, in addition to function as a transition to the exterior spaces, they protect from the sun, rain and connect the main volume with the visitor’s volume. Polished cement columns and walls contain the wooden windows and support the rough plaster monolithic volume of the upper floor. Inside, contrasting with the parota carpentry, the light-colored plaster seeks to increase the luminosity diminished by the perennial shade of the jungle. On the upper floor, attending to each room, the volume is perforated to place bay windows, a balcony, and an outdoor shower directly related to the wild landscape.

Higueras House Plans

Higueras House Image Gallery

About COA arquitectura

COA arquitectura is a dynamic and innovative Mexican architecture firm based in the vibrant city of Guadalajara. Founded on the principles of traditional craftsmanship and a deep respect for architectural heritage, the studio is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of design through constant experimentation with materials and construction techniques. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for creating buildings that harmoniously blend with their environment, COA arquitectura has established itself as a leader in contemporary Mexican architecture, renowned for its innovative and sustainable design solutions. Other works from COA arquitectura 

1. Collaborators: Diana Quiroz Chávez, Tania Robles Lomelín
2. Structural engineering: TADE – Álvaro Vallejo