The best homes reflect the lives and passions of those who create them—and so, unsurprisingly, it can be difficult to find an existing home that feels like it was made just for you. When Mexico City–based couple Antonio and Estela began to search for their dream home after 20 years together, they looked at 30 properties before their realtor told them that the house they sought just didn’t exist. Instead, the realtor recommended that they search for a plot on which to build their own home.

While searching for a site, Antonio—the founder of a property consulting service and a semiprofessional gamer—began to look for an architect. A friend he games with recommended the local practice All Arquitectura, so Antonio and and Estela set up a meeting.

“There was an immediate connection with All Arquitectura,” he recalls. “The design process was magical. We talked about our expectations, and they spoke with each of us separately to understand our needs and preferences.”

The result is Casa Sexta, a sculptural residence that rises from a relatively compact site in a residential neighborhood in Mexico City. It’s as much a work of art as it is a bespoke home.

“The home is the culmination of my whole life’s work—about 30 years,” says Antonio. “All our dreams and hopes were invested in it—and every single one of our resources—as we wanted something special.”

One of the main challenges was the sloped site, which rises 10 meters from street level. However the architects saw this as an opportunity, and they used the height to create spaces that are not overlooked by the neighboring properties. The sloped site also allows Casa Sexta to capture distant mountain views.

Instead of a conventional garden, Casa Sexta is punctuated by plantings, courtyards, and patios that dissolve conventional notions of inside and out. This was particularly important for Antonio and Estela, as their previous home was located in a busy urban area and didn’t have a garden.

“Antonio wanted to be able to leave the city outside, and enter a peaceful space within the house” explains architect Alejandro Guardado. “He didn’t want to see cars or concrete—he wanted to be able to open his eyes, and see green everywhere.”

Another important aspect of the brief was privacy—both from neighbors, but also for individual members of the family to engage in their own separate activities. As such, the home is divided into three distinct zones. The basement level features a “party” area for the teenagers, a gaming room for Antonio, and a guest bedroom. The ground floor is home to living and dining area, and the upper level is dedicated to the bedrooms.

Each space in the home features bespoke, built-in furniture by All Arquitectura and other design studios that complements the artisanal rugs and art pieces. “And, let’s not forget the gorgeous desk they designed for the gaming room,” says Antonio. A particularly impressive piece is the adaptable kitchen island, which can be extended out into the garden to form a 16-seat table.

The open pattern of the brickwork on the upper, more private levels, maintains privacy from the street while allowing for natural ventilation and light. " layout="" credit="Photo by Zaicks Moz" photoUserId=""/>

“When you are planning to build a house, you anticipate many things—but we could never have imagined anything like Casa Sexta,” says Antonio. “This house is a long-promised gift to my wife, the place where my children live, and the home I sought to give them with all my love.”

Related Reading:

This Mexico City Home Features a Garden at Every Level

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Project Credits:

Architect of Record: All Arquitectura / @all_arquitectura

General Contractor: All Arquitectura

Structural & Civil Engineer: Project Calc

Landscape Design: Fundamental

Lighting Design: Circadia Estudio

Interior Design: All Arquitectura & Armónico

Cabinetry Design: All Arquitectura

Photographer: Zaicks Moz / @zaickz.moz

Secret Gardens Grow at the Heart of This Monumental Mexico City Home