The Cave / COTAPAREDES Arquitectos

The Cave / COTAPAREDES Arquitectos - Facade
© César Béjar

The Cave / COTAPAREDES Arquitectos - Image 2 of 37The Cave / COTAPAREDES Arquitectos - Windows, FacadeThe Cave / COTAPAREDES Arquitectos - Image 4 of 37The Cave / COTAPAREDES Arquitectos - Image 5 of 37The Cave / COTAPAREDES Arquitectos - More Images+ 32

Zapopan, Mexico
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  390
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2017
  • Photographs
    Photographs:César Béjar
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Cocinas María Hueso, Construlita, Eurovent, Glass Vita, Helvex, Indeko, Marmoletti /
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The best way to get to know an architect is to know their projects, they speak for us, unmask us when the work is honest, they exist as a mirror of who we are. There is something behind the cave that speaks of who I am, that form of an enclosed cube that seeks to be hidden from the world, while showing openings that exhibit a contradiction, perhaps I do not want to remain apart from the world, as a proof these narrow cracks show a characteristic from mankind, The longing of being known and loved.

The Cave / COTAPAREDES Arquitectos - Image 18 of 37
© César Béjar

The land is located within the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, in one of many private condominiums delimited by large walls, as a result of increased insecurity in Mexico. It is this duality among a chaotic city and the search for isolation and shelter, what generates Introspective Architecture.

The Cave / COTAPAREDES Arquitectos - Image 13 of 37
© César Béjar

An Architecture that seeks to give a fundamental importance to the user's privacy, generating an atmosphere that combines the correct management of light and the fluidity of spaces.

The Cave / COTAPAREDES Arquitectos - Facade
© César Béjar

The project was born from listening the client's needs: within the list of dependencies, a space seemed fundamental, a multipurpose room located on the basement was needed where the client´s family would spend a lot of quality time. We thought of ​​introducing a double height patio that would provide natural lighting and ventilation to the basement.

Section A

This gave us the perfect excuse to plant a tree that would bring character to the space.

The Cave / COTAPAREDES Arquitectos - Image 4 of 37
© César Béjar

On the ground floor, the crown of the tree rises, filling the void generated by the double heights, extending its branches throughout the surrounding spaces. This void acts as an articulator, causing an indirect spatial relationship between the entrance on both levels and the dining room, the spaces can be seen but not touched.

The Cave / COTAPAREDES Arquitectos - Image 5 of 37
© César Béjar

When you enter the house, whether by the basement or the ground floor, the tree welcomes you, as a host who opens its arms to salute you.

Ground Floor Plan

Oriented towards the back of the plot the dining room is located on a space with a double height, it communicates with the void of the patio on the basement, and generates a segmented triple height that causes astonishment to the viewer once it is discovered. Facing south, a large window bathes in light the space of both concatenated double heights.

The Cave / COTAPAREDES Arquitectos - Image 24 of 37
© César Béjar

On the second level where the rooms of the children are located. A staircase with a solid handrail brings a sculptural approach to the space, which in turn let us discover another double height that relates with the last level of the house where the main room is illuminated through a patio. A window that captures the light of the east, lets the warm air of the house escape.

The Cave / COTAPAREDES Arquitectos - Brick
© César Béjar

The outer form: a cube that sits on a stone base, seeks to be as closed as possible but opening the grooves necessary to provoke in the viewer an interest in knowing what goes on inside.

The Cave / COTAPAREDES Arquitectos - Facade
© César Béjar

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About this office
Cite: "The Cave / COTAPAREDES Arquitectos" 04 Jul 2017. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/874912/the-cave-abraham-cota-paredes-arquitectos> ISSN 0719-8884

© César Béjar

最简洁的立面——墨西哥住宅 / Abraham Cota Paredes Arquitectos

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