A Forest-set Residence that Dissolves the Boundary between Architecture and Landscape

House in Avándaro is a private residence embedded by ESTUDIO Ignacio Urquiza Ana Paula de Alba in the dense forests of Avándaro, Mexico, where steep topography, existing vegetation, and water flow strongly shaped the architectural response. Positioned on a sloping site that naturally channels rainwater toward a nearby stream, the house is carefully oriented to work with the terrain rather than against it.

©Fotografía por Rafael Gamo cortesía de ESTUDIO Ignacio Urquiza Ana Paula de Alba

©Fotografía por Rafael Gamo cortesía de ESTUDIO Ignacio Urquiza Ana Paula de Alba

©Fotografía por Rafael Gamo cortesía de ESTUDIO Ignacio Urquiza Ana Paula de Alba

The main façade faces north, opening toward the stream to capture consistent natural light, while the overall spatial configuration responds to both the contours of the land and the placement of mature pine and oak trees. At the heart of the project is a central void formed by interlocking volumes, creating an interior garden that preserves existing trees and allows southern sunlight to warm the interior naturally.

©Fotografía por Rafael Gamo cortesía de ESTUDIO Ignacio Urquiza Ana Paula de Alba

©Fotografía por Rafael Gamo cortesía de ESTUDIO Ignacio Urquiza Ana Paula de Alba

The architecture is organized around two primary spatial conditions: solid, enclosed volumes and a lightweight, unifying roof structure that connects three of these volumes. Beneath this roof lies the home’s main communal space—an open living area fully enclosed in glass, designed to embrace the surrounding forest. The roof, composed of a lightweight concrete slab supported by steel beams, balances openness with structural clarity.

©Fotografía por Rafael Gamo cortesía de ESTUDIO Ignacio Urquiza Ana Paula de Alba

©Fotografía por Rafael Gamo cortesía de ESTUDIO Ignacio Urquiza Ana Paula de Alba

The solid volumes act as the house’s primary structural elements, containing private and service spaces while controlling views through carefully positioned openings. Four distinct volumes define the program: mirrored bedrooms in one, a flexible family or TV room in another, a vertically organized volume housing the kitchen, study, and master bedroom, and a separate service block containing mechanical areas, a cistern, and parking.

©Fotografía por Rafael Gamo cortesía de ESTUDIO Ignacio Urquiza Ana Paula de Alba

These volumes also anchor the roof, along with a central fireplace that functions as both a structural and symbolic hearth. Together, they define a transparent communal zone that includes the living and dining areas as well as secondary family spaces, all directly connected to the garden.

©Fotografía por Rafael Gamo cortesía de ESTUDIO Ignacio Urquiza Ana Paula de Alba

A 9.6-meter-wide floor-to-ceiling window is a defining feature of the living-dining area. Composed of four sliding panels, it can fully open to transform the interior into a covered outdoor terrace, reinforcing the seamless integration of indoor and outdoor living.

The house rests on an exposed concrete base that functions as both foundation and thermal barrier, reducing moisture transfer from the ground. Brick walls finished with smooth, locally sourced stucco rise from this base. Pitched roofs clad in flat clay tiles cover the solid volumes and enable rainwater harvesting, while the flat lightweight roof doubles as a private terrace accessible from the bedrooms, offering elevated views into the treetops.

Material choices throughout the project are restrained and neutral, allowing the surrounding greenery to dominate the visual experience. Inside, light materials, understated furnishings, and natural textiles complement the architecture without overpowering it. Oak, marble, volcanic stone, wool, linen, and locally crafted palm weavings add texture and warmth, while simple geometric forms guide the design of furniture and decorative elements.

Discreet lighting completes the atmosphere, reinforcing the project’s emphasis on calmness and continuity. Ultimately, House in Avándaro explores the relationship between built form, inhabitable space, and natural context, creating a residence where architecture and environment merge into a cohesive, immersive experience.