Completed in 1995, the Satellite House Complex, designed by Javier Senosiain, is one of the best examples of Mexican organic architecture. Influenced by architects such as Gaudí, Hundertwasser, and Frank Lloyd Wright, Javier Senosian is also heavily influenced by Mexican experimental Modernists such as Félix Candela or Juan O’Gorman. They all seek a philosophy of architecture that promotes harmony between man’s habitat and the natural world.
Satellite House Complex Technical Information
- Architects: Javier Senosiain
- Location: State of Mexico, Mexico
- Topics: Organic Architecture, Color Architecture
- Type: Houses
- Project Year: 1995
- Photographs: © Javier Senosiain Architects, arquitecturaorganica.com
Before we’re born, we’re floating in our mother’s belly, like astronauts in space or a permanent Jacuzzi, but then we’re pushed into a box, a crib, and we move from one box to another throughout our lives — playpens, bedrooms, square houses — until we die and are put in another box. We make life for children very square, killing off liberty, spontaneity, and creativity. My designs want to go against this rule of life.1
– Javier Senosiain
Satellite House Complex Photographs
Text by the Architects
This small complex of four houses is located in Ciudad Satélite, on the outskirts of Mexico City. The inclination of the lot, which rises approximately 1.5 meters above street level, was used to bury the units partially.
As one approaches the complex, an undulating façade resembling two eagles with outspread wings seems to envelop the four pedestrian entrances.
I think green architecture cannot only be about technique or engineering or efficiency. There also needs to be spatial sensibility. Architecture should always be fun.1
– Javier Senosiain
Satellite House Complex Plans
© Javier Senosiain
Satellite House Complex Image Gallery
About Javier Senosiain
Professor at the UNAM, department of architecture and author of the book “Bio-Architecture” Javier Senosiain is a Mexican architect known for his organic architecture. Influenced by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, his architecture reflects impressions of Mexican art’s colorful world and remodels esthetic aspects of animal and human form attributes into widely varied extraordinary buildings.
Other works from Javier Senosiain
- Javier Senosian interview with Mario Ballesteros for Pin-Up No.20, Spring-Summer 2016.