Watchman House by COA Arquitectura: Efficient, Dignified Family Living in Aguascalientes
Watchman House / COA Arquitectura: Compact corner-lot home with brick, concrete, and wood finishes, double-height stair, interior patio, efficient family living.
The Watchman House by COA Arquitectura is a thoughtfully designed family home that balances efficiency, simplicity, and spatial quality. Located on a compact 62-square-meter corner lot in Aguascalientes, Mexico, this residence demonstrates how careful planning and smart material choices can create a dignified, functional home with minimal elements.
Design Concept
The project was guided by two primary objectives: to design a comfortable, dignified home for a watchman and his family, and to achieve fast, efficient construction using locally common building systems. The house appears as a monolithic box from the exterior, emphasizing privacy, while internally it opens up to a central patio that brings light and life into the social areas.
Architectural Layout
The house includes:
- Ground floor: Living room, dining area, kitchen, bathroom, two bedrooms, and a laundry patio.
- First floor: Bedrooms are accessed via a double-height stairway interrupted by a steel beam, creating an airy and dignified transition space.
- Roof & Section: The design incorporates a continuous canopy that covers the entry and laundry patio, combining form and function.
Materials & Construction
COA Arquitectura chose a palette emphasizing local construction techniques and natural materials:
- Walls: Colored integrated apparent blocks and jalcreto.
- Structural elements: Concrete joists and slabs, steel window frames.
- Interior finishes: Polished concrete floors and warm pine wood dividing walls.
This combination ensures durability, simplicity, and warmth, creating a home that feels both efficient and welcoming.
Spatial Experience
The house maximizes spatial quality through modulation, texture, and material contrast. The double-height stairwell enhances circulation, while the interior patio connects the social spaces to natural light. Even the semi-covered laundry patio demonstrates thoughtful design that balances privacy, functionality, and aesthetic appeal.
Watchman House is a testament to how minimalist design, local materials, and strategic spatial planning can create a dignified, practical, and inviting home for a small family. It exemplifies efficient residential architecture in Mexico.
All Photographs are works of César Béjar Studio
