An Indoor/Outdoor Home in Oaxaca Plays With Neutral Tones and Natural Light

In the Mexican village of San Sebastián Tutla, just fifteen minutes from downtown Oaxaca, the compact Cuatas residence rises from the street like a colorful sculpture. Carla Osorio and Mario Ávila, codirectors of Espacio 18 Arquitectura, designed the holiday home for a Oaxacan couple who currently live in Mexico City. Because real estate in the city of Oaxaca is increasingly expensive, the clients opted for a 700-square-foot site on the outskirts of the eponymous state’s capital. 

 "They wanted to have a house that reminded them of Oaxaca, so we tried to design something comfortable with neutral tones," say the architects. "The challenge we had was to introduce light into the space." The south-facing facade captures light through strategically placed windows. Meahe rooms on the other side of the home incorporate floor-to-ceiling glazing to let in natural light.

Drawing from the values of food and family in Mexican culture, the team at Espacio 18 Arquitectura designed a blended kitchen and dining room that connects to an enclosed patio via sliding glass doors. Lattices divide the living spaces on the first level, creating visual fluidity and letting in ample light. Upstairs, the bedroom offers views of the southern Sierra Madre of Oaxaca and the Cerro de la Guelaguetza.

Oaxaca’s neutral colors and local materials inspired the both the exterior and interior, from the brick walls to the red steel details and the concrete ceilings. Together, these selections tie the project to its environs while creating a warmth and a spaciousness that defies the site’s small footprint. 

"It doesn't matter if it’s a small or a big project," say the architects. "We have the same design rules: light, functionality, and simplicity. We always make the most of the space."

More from Espacio 18 Arquitectura:

A Stoic Structure in Oaxaca Gives Way to a Couple’s Convivial Home

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Espacio 18 Arquitectura / @espacio18

Builder/General Contractor: Espacio 18 Arquitectura / @espacio18

Structural and Civil Engineer: LM Structures / @lm.estructuras

Landscape Design: Espacio 18 Arquitectura / @espacio18

Lighting Design: Espacio 18 Arquitectura / @espacio18

Interior Design: Espacio 18 Arquitectura / @espacio18

Sound Engineer: Espacio 18 Arquitectura / @espacio18

Cabinetry: Espacio 18 Arquitectura / @espacio18

Carpentry: Orvesa & Diseno SA

Photographer: Amy Bello / @amybello.fotografia