Bugambilias House by Taller Mexicano de Arquitectura

_project: Bugambilias House
_architecture: Taller Mexicano de Arquitectura
_location: Merida, Mexico

Bugambilias House, from Taller Mexicano de Arquitectura, is an embodiment of architectural innovation and raw aesthetic appeal. Inspired by the vibrant Bugambilia flower, the house reflects a seamless blend of tropical, contemporary, and minimalist influences, hinged around the raw materials used in its construction.

The architects and also dwellers emphasized their philosophy of embracing aging in the design process. "We choose raw materials over painting because we believe in aging, accepting that as ourselves, our home has a life of its own," they share. The materials used, apart from aging gracefully, also perform functional roles, catering to Mérida's hot and humid climate. The red pink-ish concrete that is a central element of the design echoes the colour of the Bugambilia flower, adding an understated yet profound beauty to the house.

The heart of Bugambilias House is its patio, functioning as a natural ventilator and source of light for the home. Surrounded by the vibrant ecosystem of a huge tree, the patio serves as a focal point that merges interior and exterior spaces. "As we walk through these spaces, we are always in contact with this huge tree. It’s beautiful to see everyday at different hours, the shadow and light coexisting with us through the walls of our home," the owners explain. The home's transformative nature is further enhanced by the patio and terrace's ability to open completely, thereby expanding the social area and integrating it with the outdoors.

Light, an essential aspect of the Bugambilias House, creates a unique atmosphere in the home. Adela & Salvador were intent on integrating the natural lighting of the sun, water, and trees with the architecture of the home, leading to a dramatic interplay of light and shadow across the day. "The synergy of these elements and natural lighting creates an amazing shadow casting show all day long at different spots of the house," they detail.

A visit to the Bugambilias House is an invitation to sensory exploration. The use of different textures across the home, in the walls, floor, or ceiling, urges visitors to connect with the space on a tactile level. "It's common that people feel the walls and the floors when they visit, you see raw materials and thought of them as a rough feeling, but it's actually very soft and cozy," they add. This tactile experience invites visitors to experience the flat, cold surfaces of the house with bare feet, adding a new dimension to their experience of the space. 

_written by Daniela Moreira Silva
_film by Mavix
_cover image by Alex Loustaunau
_drawing by Taller Mexicano de Arquitectura:

1. Ground Floor Plan
2. Upper Floor Plan
3. Complete Floor Plan
4. South Elevation
5. Section B-B'
6. West Elevation
7. Section C-C'
8. Section D-D'