Unnamed House

HW Studio Arquitectos

Short description

A deep religious vocation and a robbery are the circumstances that gave rise to the fundamental decisions of this architectural project. During the design process, the future inhabitants of this house shared the experience of being victims of a robbery in their home while they were away. This situation made them feel exposed and vulnerable, especially considering that the neighborhood constantly experiences an increase in crime rates. Nevertheless, their strong connection to the land and deep roots prevented them from leaving the place where they had built their lives.

For this reason, they sought a discreet, austere, and unadorned architectural project, with high walls and no windows facing the outside. They believed this design could restore the sense of security they had lost. These requests were combined with the immense religious vocation that was discovered during the design process: "When we saw their current house, it was a surprise to discover the enormous amount of crucifixes, virgins, angels, religious objects, and baroque elements that filled the space." Unexpectedly, they wanted the opposite: a cold and even sterile minimalism.

In a way, they wanted to get rid of all that. However, we felt the house should evoke a certain religious spirit. This would be achieved through forms recalling those sacred spaces that made them feel protected and secure both physically and spiritually. Convent architecture provided the blueprint for this design. The house, like a convent, is organized around a sequence of courtyards. Each courtyard is paired with a space covered by a barrel vault that blurs the limits of the roof, softens the light, and pays homage to the numerous baroque churches in the city.

Thus, the architecture seeks to provide a solution to their unfortunate experience, aided by a deep faith reinforced by legible forms, light, and space. It stands as a sober and simple structure that contrasts with the complexity and eclecticism of the surrounding buildings. However, this contrast isn't random or imposing. The house serves as a blank canvas, open for appropriation and personalization by its owners. Its cleanliness and simplicity aren't restrictions, but invitations for creativity and experimentation.

The house is situated in a neighborhood where Morelia's first modern structures rose, but where each owner personalized them, creating an eclectic mix. Within this context, the white box stands as a foundation for future changes. Its contrasting presence and adaptability can be seen as a means to continue the neighborhood's tradition while opening up to new potentials for change.

The structure, although contrasting, invites a creative dialogue with its environment. Its cleanliness and simplicity are calls to continue the neighborhood's dynamic of appropriation. This house seeks to perpetuate the tradition of customization and transformation in Chapultepec. Despite its visual distinction, the house becomes a catalyst for future changes, as its simplicity beckons creativity and individual expression.