U House by Materia Arquitectonica
Casa U is located in the suburbs of Mexico City in a very steep and hilly site. The pronounced slope generated a sitting that emphasizes the intimate relationship between the spaces of the house with the site´s topography. The parti questioned the typical sequence of a house, having its access in its roof to then descend into the private and social spaces of the house.
The exterior facade is sober and simple, hiding the house beyond and making evident the relationship between slope and horizon. After an entry portal, a bridge extends the transition from the street and becomes an observatory. By stepping away from the slope, the house reduces its footing and frees up the most of green surface
The stair becomes the core of the project, acting as the material axis and a threshold of light. It distributes to all levels and spaces making use of landings with framed views, bringing the landscape into the interior at different scales. The steps are strategically longer in some sections to slow down the person and allow for a more conscious act of transitioning between levels.
The top level holds the garage and access vestibule, being the next level down occupied by the bedrooms, followed by the living room and dining and lastly a semi-buried level with a playroom and access to the lower garden.
The materiality responds to the function of the spaces. Concrete is used for all of the volumes that hold the earth and contain service spaces. The social level, the one with access to the gardens is expressed with a heavier nature using a black stone with a pattern that provide a continuous play of light and shadow. The highest volumes containing the bedrooms are finished with a white and light surface creating contrast.
Photos by: Materia Arquitectonica & Onnis Luque
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