Capuchinas Villa by Orther Architects
Capuchinas Villa places a crisp, contemporary house in Querétaro City, Mexico, by Orther Architects. The composition reads clean and assured, with planted edges tempering its geometry and a sculptural stair setting the tone at the door. Inside, double-height rooms and full-height glazing tilt the daily rhythm toward the garden. The project threads indoor and outdoor life through terraces and a pool, aimed at generous living rather than show.
Palm fronds catch the breeze while white planes hold a quiet line. Sun washes the entry, drawing the eye to a stair that rises like a calm gesture.
This house in Querétaro City by Orther Architects pursues clarity through sequence and light. It is a residential project with a direct plan: generous social rooms, an evident route to the garden, and an upper level that keeps the outlook open. Movement through the rooms is clear and deliberate.
Stair As Prelude
Arrival begins at a sculptural stair that frames the threshold and sets the pace. The ascent prepares the body for larger volumes ahead, shifting from shaded entry to bright interior. Its curved run breaks the rectilinear order just enough to add a measured pause. Texture on adjacent finishes—smooth plaster against grain—keeps the moment tactile.
Open Rooms Align
Once inside, double-height living and dining rooms link directly to broad glazing that reads wall to wall. Sightlines stretch past furniture to planted beds and a reflecting pool, with no small partitions to snag movement. Large-format windows pull daylight deep, making the landscape part of daily routines. Neutral surfaces hold the light while darker accents ground the composition.
Edges Blur Outside
Sliding glass panels stack away, turning the terrace into an extension of the living room. The pool mirrors both sky and crisp white volumes, adding depth without noise. Planting wraps the terrace perimeter to lend privacy without retreat from the setting. Marble, wood, and glass play off water and shadow, giving the outdoor rooms the same composure as the interior.
Upper Level Outlook
Upstairs, bedrooms keep the open attitude with terraces and slim balconies. A glass railing along the rear elevation preserves views while keeping the edge light. Circulation tracks along these outlooks, so the route stays engaged with sun and greenery. The result feels easy: steps, thresholds, and rooms align with a steady rhythm.
Material Pairs, Clear Moves
Materials reinforce the sequence rather than distract from it—smooth and textured surfaces alternate to mark transitions. Marble hardens the social core; warm wood trims touch points; glass manages light and reach. Neutral tones carry across levels and out to the terrace, keeping the reading of volumes consistent. The composition stays restrained, so daily life sets the tempo.
By dusk, the white volumes hold a soft glow as the pool settles into quiet reflection. Air slips through open doors, and the garden edges read close. The plan’s calm logic pays off in use, giving generous rooms that move cleanly from entry to water without fuss.
Photography courtesy of Orther Architects
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