House and Studio Anaya by Vrtical: A Timeless Refuge for Thoughtful Living in Mexico City

Architects: Vrtical 

A Dialogue Between Past and Present

Located in the heart of Colonia Educación in Mexico City, House and Studio Anaya stands as a sensitive architectural renovation that blends modern spatial interventions with nostalgic elements from the mid-20th century. Designed by Vrtical, the residence is both a private retreat and a creative studio for a writer and architecture researcher, embodying a space that fosters both introspection and inspiration.

At first glance, the house resists categorization into contemporary trends. Its identity seems rooted in the social fabric of the 1960s, drawing subtle references to the architectural language once typical of this residential neighborhood.

Structural Renewal and Spatial Fluidity

The transformation begins with a surgical restructuring of the ground floor. Three load-bearing walls were demolished and replaced by cross-shaped steel columns and lintels, creating an open and adaptable floor plan. These new structural elements laid the foundation for the terrace and polished concrete flooring, which visually and physically connect the indoor spaces with the garden patios.

Formerly compartmentalized, the space is now defined by flexible gates and large openings, allowing natural light and ventilation to flow seamlessly. The garage and rear patio were redesigned as green oases, promoting a reconnection with nature within the urban context.

Interventions in Light and Atmosphere

On the upper floor, the intervention focused on restoring original finishes and enhancing spatial atmospheres. Colorful bathrooms were preserved and reinterpreted, evoking the home's historical character. One of the most poetic gestures was the preservation and redesign of skylights, which punctuate the roof with soft, contemplative light.

Some skylights are introspective, creating sensory and emotional experiences—such as the golden skylight above the staircase or the framed view from the master bedroom, both functioning as architectural tributes to the passage of light and time.

A Facade Reimagined with Subtle Precision

The house’s façade was carefully reconfigured, with changes made to the size and position of openings to improve balance and symmetry. These refinements respect the original design while introducing a contemporary visual rhythm, unified through a warm and expressive color palette.

A Home as Sanctuary and Studio

Though inhabited only periodically, the house is deeply personal. It serves not only as a residence but also as a studio and intellectual refuge, reflective of its owner's dual identity as a writer and architectural scholar. Each space was crafted to support both creative contemplation and domestic ritual, resulting in an architecture that is both functional and poetic.

All photographs are works of  Oscar Hernandez