Miranda Palmeto by TACO Taller de Arquitectura Contextual

Miranda Palmeto, designed by TACO Taller de Arquitectura Contextual, is a pioneering mixed-use residence that merges urban consolidation with productive living. Situated within the Cholul Nursery, a 2.5-hectare green space with decades of history dedicated to tropical plant cultivation: the project revitalizes the Palmeto, a collection of native palms, while integrating seamlessly into the cultural and environmental fabric of Mérida.

The project is located in the heart of Cholul, a historic Mayan-Colonial community. Its primary goal is to enhance the value of the site by creating a flexible housing model that generates income and strengthens neighborhood-scale connections. By thinking beyond traditional residential design, Miranda Palmeto challenges the conventional view of housing as merely a cost, positioning it instead as an asset that contributes to both family economy and urban vitality.

Site-Specific Approach and Planning

The architectural process began with a meticulous tree survey, which informed a modular grid inspired by previous interventions at the Palmeto. This approach allowed the design team to identify areas suitable for construction while preserving the site's historical memory and natural landscape. The integration of courtyards, gardens, and terraces ensures that the project maintains strong connections with the existing vegetation and the broader community.

The resulting layout includes a pocket park, three commercial units, a pedestrian access portal, a vestibular courtyard, three satellite rooms with terraces, a buffer garden, and the core house, forming a cohesive and multifunctional ensemble.

Architectural Concept and Form

Miranda Palmeto explores stereotomic volumetry, creating a primitive, harmonious relationship with nature. Architectural forms and proportions are abstracted from the local vernacular, while sloped roofs reduce maintenance, expand interior space, and enhance thermal comfort. The core house is single-level, preserving views of the nursery and connecting seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.

The design emphasizes natural ventilation and light. Both wings of the house feature retractable doors, transforming interior spaces into expansive terraces that open to the northeast, capture prevailing winds, and channel airflow through a corner patio with a pool. This strategy reinforces the building’s climate-responsive qualities and enhances the comfort of everyday living.

Interior Layout and Program

The core house is designed as a social mono-space that integrates living, dining, and kitchen areas, alongside guest and main bathrooms, a laundry room, and a private bedroom suite. Satellite rooms above the commercial units provide additional accommodation, offering flexibility for both family and economic activities.

The project’s spatial organization encourages interaction with outdoor areas while maintaining privacy where needed. Courtyards, terraces, and gardens are carefully positioned to promote cross-ventilation, natural light, and visual connectivity with the surrounding environment, fostering a sustainable and productive lifestyle.

A Vision for Productive Living

Miranda Palmeto represents a search for contemporary housing solutions that respect the specificity of the site and local culture. By combining residential and commercial functions, it reconceives the role of the house within the urban fabric, demonstrating that a home can be both a place of living and a source of livelihood.

All photographs are works of  Manolo R. Solís