Watchman House by COA Arquitectura: Efficient, Dignified Family Living in Aguascalientes

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