Valle de Bravo is two hours and a world away from the commotion of Mexico City. Set on the shores of Lake Avándaro, it’s a popular weekend destination for well-todo residents of the capital, who flock to the town to savor its colonial charm and to sail, paraglide, and hike.

In search of a quiet getaway that could double as a vacation and holiday hub for extended family and friends, a Mexico City couple found a three-and-a-half-acre property there and reached out to architect Javier Sánchez to come up with a design that would make the most of the site.

Sánchez, founder of the architecture and development firm JSa, embraced the challenge, collaborating with architect Carlos Mar on a plan for three “floating monoliths” rising from the landscape. Strategically placed cutouts and windows frame views within and between the volumes and out to the surrounding terrain.

“Weekend estates should push users to experience life differently from the way they do in the city,” says Sánchez. “Splitting the residence into smaller ‘houses’ creates independence for multiple inhabitants, while walking from one volume to the next allows for contemplation and engagement with the landscape, the weather, and the views.”

The architects envisioned the first structure that visitors encounter upon arrival as a kind of welcome space, outfitted with a bar, fireplace, and pool table. The second structure is a tall, two-story volume with two double-height bedrooms on each floor. Also two stories, the third building includes an alfresco dining area, a living room with a conversation pit and library, a kitchen on the ground floor, and a master suite upstairs.

Constructed of board-formed concrete and connected by concrete paths, the units, with their large sliders, keep outdoor living at the forefront. The concrete continues inside, where it’s paired with richly toned parota wood and charred wood details. “The idea for the materials was to reduce them to a minimum and make the landscape the protagonist,” Sánchez explains.

Consistent with other homes in the area, sustainability was built into the scheme. The property is outfitted with a rainwater harvesting system, while rooftop solar panels provide about half of the electricity used on-site. Drinking water is supplied by a nearby well.

The property provides exactly the kind of escape the couple desired. “The plan sort of forces you to be out in the open,” says the husband. “When you’re there, you really feel like you’ve left the city.”

Project Credits:

Architect: JSa Taller de Arquitectura / @jsaarquitectura

Contractor: TuCasa

Engineer: Grupo Sai

Landscape Designer: Taller Nuevos Territorios

Cabinetry Designer: Mic Mac

Energy Consultant: Biomah

Photographer: Rafael Gamo / @rafaelgamo

A Monolithic, Concrete Home Commands the Landscape Outside Mexico City