Casa Malinalco

Project Status: Under construction
Project Year: 2023
Use: Residential
Client: Private
Area: 500 m2
Location: Malinalco, State of Mexico
Design: MCxA
Construction: Taller A
Team: Francisco Vazquez, Marco Severino, Tridim.
Photography: Paola Cueli

The design celebrated cultural diversity by incorporating historical references, materials, and design elements that reflect the area’s cultural heritage. Enhancing the natural environment and prioritizing environmental respect, protecting the current conditions.The design is a twisting shape that resembles a snake form, inspired by the feathered snake’s elliptical shape, and uses elliptic curves, shapes the building around the existing vegetation, and references local cultural heritage with great care and respect. The house is designed on one level with many outdoor spaces to promote accessibility and community connections and encourage socializing and shared spaces to contribute to the community’s well-being.

The site presented several challenges, including an irregular area with many trees, a river, and heavy regulations from the federal authorities protecting archaeological sites. The design team worked closely with the National Institute of Archeology and History (INAH) to establish five principles for construction: not intrusive, integrating and respecting the environment, modular and reversible, social improvement, and materiality. The project was designed with a light bespoke structure and shallow foundations, and excavations were done manually to protect the roots of existing trees and to search for any archaeological relics.

The design also incorporated principles such as the interior and exterior relationship; We believe in a surprising and mystical approach to architecture a way to be in touch with nature from different points of view, with around 50% of the house open for direct contact with the environment, and the flow of the house, with two main circulations for interior use and one more symbolic that connects the river to the access of the archaeological site. The skin of the building was also a vital element of the design, using patterns inspired by the traditional textile culture of the area while also addressing challenges such as double curvature, durability and prefabrication for minimal material waste.

Designing under decarbonization principles, we incorporate several strategies and technologies to minimize

building carbon footprint. We worked on four main issues:

1) Energy efficient design, due to the site conditions, solar panels didn’t work, so we worked on reducing energy consumption through high-efficiency lighting and equipment—as well as the user of only electrical energy and no carbon-based. Orientation and insulation were carefully studied to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse emissions.

2) Water cycle, harvesting rainwater to be infiltrated into the river, High-efficiency equipment, and a wastewater treatment plant to reduce water consumption

3) Sustainable building materials. We choose local materials with a low carbon footprint from sustainable, renewable and recycled resources. We also reuse many existing materials on the site, in foundations and patios.

4) Waste reduction and reuse. Although this is more of an operational matter, the waste is divided into three main categories: recyclable (aluminium, glass and pet), organic, with is used for compost and everything else.

All the interiors are inspired by the ingenuity, creativity, and cultural diversity of Malinalco, bringing other cultural references from our background. The materials are basic and simple, combined with sophisticated lighting and furniture—a floating roof contrasting with the modular wooden lattice. The walls refer to the colonial frescoes of Malinalco.

Since we found our studio, we have acknowledged that people drive design. Our humanistic approach looks for social justice, sustainability and high-quality environments. Architects are responsible for designing better spaces and caring for our natural, cultural and social environment. Our practice has focused on these ideals for the past years. We believe in the power of ideas and research to transform our backgrounds for a better future. Under the philosophy, that good design is not a product of masterminds but instead through the power of collaboration and communication. We envision good design as a workflow between clients, groups and specialists. It is through positive communication that we can improve our world.

Architecture can negotiate between decolonization, decarbonization, good design practices, exploration, imagination, and historical heritage. We combined these principles to create a space that is not only sustainable and environmentally conscious but also culturally respectful and reflective of our collective heritage.

It is essential to continue to push the boundaries of what is possible and to imagine new and innovative ways of creating spaces that prioritize sustainability and equity. We must also take care to preserve and protect our historical heritage, recognizing the important role that architecture has played in shaping our communities cultural and social fabric. We can create a more sustainable, equitable, and culturally rich future through these efforts. And it is through architecture that we can bring these principles to life, helping to build a better world for all people now and for new generations to come.