LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: An homage to Mayan culture in Mexico

A long, narrow plot finds its true personal identity in this tribute to Mayan culture in a Merida, Mexico house designed by architect Ludwig Godefroy.

Merida is known as the capital of the indigenous Mayan civilisation, providing the inspiration which led Mexico City architect Ludwig Godefroy to design a fragmented concrete home that pays homage to the city’s culture while providing respite from the extreme Yucatan climate.

Traditional talent

With the residential property’s design so closely connected to its location, the new home aims to reinterpret the vernacular architecture of the Mayan culture in a modern way. And naturally, importance was also put on using local materials and using exclusively Yucatec masons and carpenters, with 90% of the construction elements being made on site.

Almost as if referencing the still-existing structures that can be found in Mexico to this day, the materials chosen for the project were simple, hard-wearing natural resources that could survive without treatment or ongoing maintenance, instead displaying wear over time that only adds to its allure.

Creating flow

The long, narrow plot inspired Godefroy to reinterpret the Sacbe, a traditional Mayan road system that was used to connect communities. The straight lines that connected these communities have been injected into this residential project, while additionally breaking up the living areas and creating scattered outdoor spaces allowed Godefroy to naturally ventilate the home, following the Mayan architectural style which aided living in the extremer heat and rainy season of the local climate.

This minimal aesthetic carries on into the interior styling, with wooden furnishings and doors creating the focal viewpoint in the living areas. Natural materials continue to run without, such as in the form of a stone bathtub and rough, textured sink, while pops of blue home furnishings and artwork add a touch of colour.

 

 

Source: Dezeen