Modern Homes in Mexico

The house has what some architects would call an upside-down plan, with living spaces upstairs and bedrooms below. The upper story is strikingly transparent; the lower is camouflaged by thick, foliage-covered walls, which keep the sleeping areas cool.

Paola Gracia keeps an eye on Kata, one of the couple’s schnauzers, from the second- story balcony. In the shade below the balcony is the dogs’ house, meant to mimic the Gracias’, that architect Jorge Gracia built from leftover building materials.

The two structures that comprise the house frame views of the ever expanding city. The backyard is perfect for frolicking dogs and children, with concrete block walls just high enough to keep them in but low enough to not keep the city out.

The Becerril family embraces stark modernism with a mute facade clad in Hardie board and acrylic panels. Access to the heart of the house is through the bamboo garden.

Marco Becerril, at the left end of the table, presides over his extended family in the double-height dining area.

Cano implemented small windows on one side of the addition to protect from cold north winds, and extended an existing retaining wall with rocks found onsite, upon which he anchored the foundation. To protect the structure from the humidity, Cano completely clad it in recycled plastic panels. Load-bearing framing beams are visible through the horizontal window. Photo courtesy T3arc

A view from the main house down the length of the bridge to the addition. Cano notes that there is no need to light the bridge, as the exterior lights on both structures keep it well illuminated, so little superheroes can find their way at night. Photo courtesy T3arc