Grandmother’s House by Chain + Siman
Grandmother’s House (La Casa de la Abuela) is a cozy and inviting home located in Valle de Bravo, Mexico, designed by Chain + Siman.
Description
The Casa de la Abuela is nestled within Rancho Avándaro, located in Valle de Bravo.
The priority was to create wide, double-height spaces that would accentuate the connection with the exterior through views of the lake. To obtain the desired openings, a monolithic reinforced concrete structure was used for the entire project.
The exterior walls of the three volumes are covered with white handcrafted brick that was produced in the State of Mexico, and whose measurements served as the basis for the design’s proportion. Two of the volumes, set parallel to each other, bear gabled roofs with flat black tiles. In the interior, Austrian-engineered wood overlays the floors, walls, and ceilings.
This project was designed with the dynamics of a master suite in mind: everything revolves around the main bedroom. The interconnected rooms allow the client to pass through several spaces with just a few steps. In order to create the same architectural language throughout the project, we maximized the wooden aesthetic.
An open terrace with a Jacuzzi delineates the rear of the house and serves as a stage for enjoying the connection with the exterior. At the front of the house, the family room also features its own terrace and access to the mezzanine room.
Special attention was given to the lighting design. We approached its conceptualization as though the project were a museum in which we did not know where the elements to be illuminated would be placed. The challenge was to create flexible lighting that adjusts to the space and the elements it may contain.
The resulting composition gives the impression of a nearly stage-like space, producing a blend of functional and accent lighting. The diffused light among the three main rooms helps accentuate the warm tones of the wood and creating a cozy and inviting ambience.
Photography courtesy of Chain + Siman
Visit Chain + Siman
- by Matt Watts
