transversal volumes define escobedo soliz house in mexico

escobedo soliz inserts ‘casa de la cañada’ into a natural slope

Sited on a sloping terrain, facing a reserve with a ravine and river in Naucalpan, Mexico, ‘Casa de la Cañada’ by Escobedo Soliz exemplifies building a home on natural topography. Developed downwards, the construction takes advantage of the existing inclination — leading to one level above the sidewalk and two below it. Bedrooms, bathrooms, dressings rooms, and a gaming room occupy the top level, while the first below it is the ground floor, where a public area and kitchen welcome residents and guests. Finally, at the lowest level, a central patio appears, hosting an open-air kitchen and a semi-covered pool.

all images © Ariadna Polo

building with lateral + transversal layouts

‘The building is planted in just 100 square meters from the blocks of services and circulations that are along the two sides that adjoin with neighbors; these lateral volumes protect the privacy of the interior of the house and serve to embed the white transversal volumes that fly above the natural terrain, thus allowing the topography and vegetation of the glen to pass under the entire house without obstacles,’ writes the Escobedo Soliz team.

‘Casa de la Cañada’ is built downwards on a natural slope

These white volumes composing the house include the main living spaces and open from side to side towards the ravine and the interior patios. Last but not least, the structuring of ‘Casa de la Cañada’ has been resolved based on rigid concrete frames with enclosing masonry walls, joists, and vault slabs. The foundation is based on continuous footings staggered with the slope of the land and retaining walls.

white volumes and lush vegetation compose the design