arquidromo's monolithic cloud house floats above the city of monterrey

this 240 sqm private residence designed by arquidromo is built on a former municipal right of way in monterrey, mexico. a residual space with an irregular shape that, although initially perceived as a disadvantage, turned out to be a design opportunity. cloud house has a dynamic, three-dimensional and sculptural character.

view from the street
all images © daniela barocio

usually, lateral walls on this housing scale lack aesthetic intent and remain hidden in narrow, dark service corridors. however, the irregular format of this lot enabled a lateral face of the building to be visible from the street, making it a fundamental part of the composition of the main façade arquidromo designed.

facade in daylight

the composition consists of a set of white monoliths that are stacked in an organic and lyrical way. each part of the residence’s program is materialized in one of these cubic modules of varying dimensions in order to suit its function. the disorderly order of the composition is the result of the loose relationship between its parts, like the molecules of water in a cloud.

clouds and cloud house

the rectangle-shaped lot is bent at a 45-degree angle forcing all the program behind the garage to be rotated. this creates a contrast that accentuates the difference between the two main parts of the composition: the garage, a base of dark and rough concrete; and ‘the cloud’, of white and smooth surfaces. the garage is a portico that receives pedestrians and motorists alike: a carpet made of sea-salt texturized concrete and river stones receives you on the sidewalk and before leading you to the main access door, it takes you through a space inhabited by vines that grow freely on the walls, the floor and the roof without restriction.

exterior detail

after opening the main door, you find a dark and low corridor that prepares you for a great contrast with the next part of the journey. a second-level space full of light makes you look up. this room is articulated by the continuity of voids generated between the white monoliths. this is the heart of the house, the center of the cloud containing the social areas.

first impression

although from the outside, the house has a hermetic appearance, this room has large windows that blur the boundaries between interior and exterior. views towards the neighbouring constructions are avoided, framing only the sky and mountains, creating an atmosphere of distance and serenity. the white plastered walls and ceilings of this space are a low-cost solution that expresses a lack of materiality and emphasizes form over textures. on the other hand, rustic and cozy materials were chosen for the floor and furniture.

social area

the concrete stairs are a central and sculptural piece that takes you to a semi-private living room on the second level of the residence. a low and cozy space that serves as a transition to the third level where a corridor wrapped in overhead natural light takes you to the three independent and modest bedrooms. cloud house takes advantage of the irregularities of its plot and turns them into design opportunities. the proposal gives priority to social spaces over private spaces to encourage family encounters and gatherings.

concrete stairs

living and dining room

media room

the stairs is the central piece

the bedroom

lighting detail

project info:

title: cloud house
architects: arquidromo
location: monterrey, méxico
completed year: 2017
gross built area: 240m2
lot size: 137m2
lead architects: beto frías, andrés m. campuzano, danilo medina
photography: daniela barocio
other participants: by mura (interiors)

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edited by: maria erman | designboom