Moody LEDs Turn This Mexico City Abode Into a Neon Sculpture at Night
With crisp, white walls that become blank canvases for layered lighting effects, Rombo IV is designed to feel like a walk-in art installation.
When dusk descends on Mexico City, an all-white house takes on a surreal new atmosphere as an alchemy of LEDs bathes the interior in vibrant colors. The dreamlike abode is the work of Miguel Angel Aragonés, a self-taught architect of the Mexican design studio Taller Aragonés, and one of four structures on his property—three houses and a studio—collectively called Los Rombos after their rhomboid shape.
A long entrance hallway creates an element of suspense.
Joe Fletcher
The floors are white marble and travertine.
Joe Fletcher
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Dubbed Rombo IV, the three-story house is clad in white stucco with interiors dressed in white marble and travertine to create a white canvas for light and shadow.
Edged in by tall walls, vegetation, and a long reflecting pool, the rear triangular courtyard is a peaceful oasis.
Joe Fletcher
Miguel Angel Aragonés is seen in the cantilevered second-floor bedroom that overlooks the rear courtyard.
Joe Fletcher
During the day, the walls reflect variations in sunlight and sky color. At night, the interiors are saturated in vibrant LED hues evocative of a Mexican sunset. Black reflecting pools add a dreamlike mirror effect.
Leading to a lush wall of green, the long reflecting pool on the ground floor divides the space, with the living area on the left and the dining area on the right.
Joe Fletcher
Almost all of the furniture was created by Poliform, a long-time partner of the architects.
Joe Fletcher
Defined by crisp, orthogonal lines and geometric furnishings, the minimalist home feels like a walk-in art installation. Aragonés has opened the house up as a rental property for individuals looking for a unique getaway or brands wanting an experimental events venue.
The ground-floor living areas are bathed in warm colors while the room beyond has a cool blue tone.
Joe Fletcher
Different colored lights are used in different parts of the home to create a layered effect seen through the geometric wall openings.
Joe Fletcher
"I always try do very orthogonal designs, nothing organic because architecture to me is opposite from nature," says Aragonés. "To use organic shapes or natural forms…it seems like imitating something that architecture doesn’t have the language for. I respect the attempt, but for me it doesn’t make sense. I enjoy working with orthogonal spaces and including organic forms with real elements like trees, plants, and water."
The large triangular reflecting pool on the second floor is open to the sky.
Joe Fletcher
On the third floor guests enjoy access to a covered swimming pool.
Joe Fletcher
Openings carved into the walls and ceilings create interesting plays of light and shadow and make the pool look like a work of art.
Joe Fletcher
To that end, the walls of glass open the home up to lush vegetation and sky views. Water is found throughout the home, from reflecting pools on the bottom two floors to a swimming pool on the topmost floor.
Strategically placed walls of glass bathe the interior with natural light during the day and open the house up to the outdoors without compromising privacy.
Joe Fletcher
Available as a holiday rental, the 11,861-square-foot house comes with multiple bedrooms, a spacious kitchen, living areas, a hot tub, and a fitness center.
Joe Fletcher
"I suppose the dynamic is for people involved in art and architecture…and as a kind of hotel-house," Aragonés explains. "It has been a refuge in this huge and crazy but funny place called México City."
The view from the entry hall during the day.
Joe Fletcher
The view from the entry hall illuminated in neon lights at night.
Joe Fletcher
Matte white walls and glossy reflecting pools were chosen as a neutral background to call attention to light, whether natural daylight or colorful LEDs.
Joe Fletcher
The architects designed the marble table. The chairs are by Montis and Magis.
Joe Fletcher
The cool blue tones reflect late dusk.
Joe Fletcher
Sharply angled walls conceal views and create a sense of anticipation as guests move to the second-floor cantilevered bedroom.
Joe Fletcher
The colored lights in the home change from warm honey hues to deep reds to light blues and purples.
Joe Fletcher
Aragonés recreates the palette of a Mexican sunset indoors with vibrant reds, oranges, and purples.
Joe Fletcher
The LEDs are automated.
Joe Fletcher
Rombo IV first floor floor plan
Rombo IV second floor floor plan
Rombo IV third floor floor plan
Related Reading: Retired Couple Build Modern in Mexico City
Project Credits:
Architect of Record: Taller Aragonés / @taller_aragones
Builder/ General Contractor: Taller Aragonés and Jose Torres
Structural Engineer: Jose Nolasco
Landscape Design Company: Taller Aragonés
Lighting Design: Taller Aragonés / Ilumileds
Interior Design: Taller Aragonés / Poliform
Sound Engineer: Taller Aragonés / B&O
Cabinetry Design/ Installation: Taller Aragonés / Poliform
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