VA House: Innovative Slope-Adapted Residence in Oaxaca

Architects: ET.co 

Nestled on the challenging slopes of Cerro del Fortín, Casa VA demonstrates how architecture can transform complex terrain into a harmonious living environment. With restricted pedestrian access from a narrow alley and a 12-meter elevation change, the project faced unique logistical and structural challenges. Its location near Oaxaca’s historic downtown demanded a design sensitive to cultural heritage while responding to modern living needs.

The residence employs geometrical clarity and minimalist language to address multiple functional requirements. The design accommodates two independent spaces, a private apartment and a family house, while preserving and highlighting two huajes trees, symbolic in Oaxacan culture. Strategic placement ensures panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains, creating a sense of seclusion despite its urban setting. The upper flat area is intentionally left open, maintaining both spatial freedom and structural integrity.

Spatial Organization and Materiality

Casa VA is composed of two upper floors and a basement. The main entrance at the basement level opens into a lobby, providing access to the apartment and the main house via a locally sourced stone staircase. The apartment, built with raw, exposed concrete, features a kitchen-dining area and bathroom in the basement, cleverly carved out by modifying the retaining wall. A ground-floor bedroom offers expansive city views.

The main house showcases a blend of exposed materials and vibrant colors, integrating indoor and outdoor experiences. The ground floor contains a bedroom with garden access, a kitchen, bathroom, service patio, and a double-height living-dining area. Triangular geometry and floor-to-ceiling windows emphasize structural expression and natural light, framing the cityscape as a living artwork. The first floor houses the master suite, bathroom, dressing room, and a private terrace with panoramic vistas.

Construction Challenges and Craftsmanship

Construction of Casa VA exemplifies the synergy of architectural vision and manual craftsmanship. The steep terrain prevented the use of machinery, requiring all material transport, excavation, and assembly to be executed by hand. This labor-intensive approach highlights the dedication of local builders and transforms physical effort into architectural poetry.

The residence’s clear form and structural efficiency domesticate a complex landscape, turning a difficult slope into a naturally integrated home. The design emphasizes the views as the central feature, allowing residents to experience the surrounding environment fully. Casa VA stands as a testament to thoughtful design, cultural respect, and artisanal excellence in hillside residential architecture.

All photographs are works of  Marcos Rojas Sosa, Omar López Bautista, Alfredo Ortíz