haro arquitectos builds casa aldebaran in mexico favoring the feeling of weightlessness

haro arquitectos’ ‘casa aldebaran’ is designed in a simple and contemporary style, where paths emerge from the two courtyards and boast the pre-existing trees on site located in zapopan, mexico, embellishing the building with their green foliage. this creates a natural foyer at the main entrance and a welcoming sensation for its dwellers as they enter the house. the heart of the project features double-height ceilings, and strategically located windows to capitalize on views and natural light, channeling sunshine to its spaces. therefore, the house is very open towards its center. although solid elements prevail over empty spaces on the house’s main frontage facing west, and where the windows become very subtle openings on walls, favoring verticality and enhancing the feeling of weightlessness within the house.

the lighting over the concrete wall enhances the feeling of weightlessness of the upper white volume
all images © lorena darquea

the ground level of mexican based firm haro arquitectos‘ ‘casa aldebaran’ features a kitchen with a secondary entrance from the garage, a study which can be used as a bedroom, a double-height living room, a dining room, and between these two spaces a covered terrace separated only by glass. when opened, the terrace integrates the whole area creating a very large open space without walls extending from the entrance to the garden in the back. on the top floor there is a bridge and a studio that feed off the double height and the tree canopies; a laundry room, two bedrooms with private bathrooms, and a master bedroom with an en-suite dressing room and bathroom.

the rough texture of the exposed concrete wall is complemented by the texture of the parota wood

few building materials are used and most of them are raw, and although white is the predominant color, exposed concrete walls and sections of parota wood produce a harmonious color effect. the previously mentioned study and bridge under the double-height ceiling seem to be independent of the house structure, being supported by steel beams and board-formed concrete slabs with seepage marks that enhance the perspective. these slabs have indirect lighting, further emphasizing its brutalist texture in the evening, producing a striking contrast with its surroundings.

the white solid volume has very subtle vertical subtractions that seem to have been made with glass

‘casa aldebaran’ is set in a privileged location in mexico and haro arquitectos has been able to fully take advantage of this. the project team has designed a very discreet staircase on the top floor to easily and comfortably access the roof garden and enjoy the breathtaking sunset views of the primavera forest nearby.

white is the predominant color, but it is balanced with exposed concrete walls and sections of parota wood

the main entrance is through a side patio with pre-existing trees

between the living room and dining room, a covered terrace separated only by glass

double height living room

over the main entrance there is a studio and then a bridge

the view of the main entrance is to an open patio with a pre-existing tree

interior lighting details

the studio and the bridge are supported by steel beams and board-formed concrete slabs with seepage marks

the back is very open on the ground floor, with large windows and thin and elegant steel columns

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edited by: apostolos costarangos | designboom