Revitalizing Spaces with Vibrant Design: Exploring PPAA Pérez Palacios Arquitectos' La Colorada

Nestled in Valle de Bravo, just two hours from Mexico City, is La Colorada, a residence that celebrates nature and the methods used to preserve it. The house is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, so the challenge was to keep the land virtually untouched. After analyzing the site, we noticed an area of the slope that was free of trees. We placed a volume for the bedrooms there, which allowed us to absorb the slope and minimize excavation. A light structure with traditional construction was then placed on top, making the lower volume virtually disappear and allowing the public area to float between the trees. The success of this project lies in the way we managed to distribute the program while still giving prominence to the forest.

The two distinct pieces of architecture - the public and private areas - are placed in two separate locations. On the top floor, the public area is built with a minimal footprint to prioritize the terrace. On the lower floor, the private area is placed perpendicular to the public area. The large terrace and viewpoint extend over the bedrooms, providing a place to admire nature. The A-Frame building system of the public area collects water for recycling, filters light, and passively ventilates the house. This construction system was chosen for its functional feasibility and its ability to generate a warm, habitable roof. The semi-open living room and dining room, kitchen, and family living area, along with the services, bring life to this level. On the terrace is the pool and rest area.

To balance the need for privacy with a close connection to the forest, the bedrooms were placed on the lower floor. These bedrooms open onto the forest and are protected by a portico that runs along the entire length of the volume. A submerged staircase between both volumes connects the large terrace and public area with the bedrooms, acting as a threshold between the moments of contemplation (public area) and introspection (private area). The interiors are filled with warm colors and certified wood, and the walls have a natural earthen finish. Outside, the black finish on the lower volume blends in with the tones of the trees, while the roof is tiled to blend in with the bark of the trees. La Colorada is an architecture that blends with the landscape and at times, disappears among nature.