PPAA nestles idyllic retreat into pine tree woodlands of valle de bravo, mexico

PPAA tucks ‘zarzales’ retreat into the mexican woodlands

Pérez Palacios Arquitectos Asociados (PPAA) designs Zarzales as an idyllic retreat tucked into the scenic woodlands of Valle de Bravo in Mexico. Comprising two conjoined volumes, one private and one communal, the quiet dwelling is a place to disconnect from the bustle of everyday life and to reconnect with nature. With a simplistic typology, the home engages in a synchronous dialogue with its rich natural landscape, echoing its tones and textures with its materiality and inviting abundant natural lighting and natural views of the outdoors inside.

all images by Rafael Gamo

a reciprocal dialogue between architecture and nature

The Zarzales vacation home integrates discreetly into its site, seeking to preserve as much as possible of the encompassing pine tree woodlands and maintain a reciprocal relationship with the landscape. In a natural response to the site, the architects at PPAA designed two low-lying volumes with a concrete terrace punctuated by the existing antiquated trees.

The first volume provides open, social areas to bring together inhabitants and visitors, while the second provides private spaces for rest. Both structures are topped by gabled roofs which protect the home from constant rainfall and blend in with the textures of the woodlands. Part of the roof boasts wooden perforations that provide glimpses of the encompassing foliage, and invite ample natural lighting inside, creating dynamic patterns of shadows across the space. Throughout the interior, the surfaces are finished with light wood, washed concrete and natural paste, echoing the tones of the tree bark and further blurring the boundary between the outdoors and indoors.

surfaces finished with wood, washed concrete + natural paste blur the boundary between the outdoors and indoors

Zarzales comprises two long conjoined volumes

the quiet home engages in a synchronous dialogue with the woodlands

a concrete terrace punctuated by the existing antiquated trees preserves the landscape

PPAA designs the home in the woodlands as a serene getaway from everyday life

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project info:

name: Zarzales
architecture: Pérez Palacios Arquitectos Asociados (PPAA)
design team: Pablo Pérez Palacios, Miguel Vargas, Nancy Estevez

location: Valle de Bravo, Mexico

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edited by: ravail khan | designboom