— Description by ARCO Arquitectura Contemporánea —
Located in the west of Mexico City, Casa AR is the result of the remodeling and expansion of a residence built in the 1980s on a 1,000 m2 plot. The spaces of the original project presented a lot of potential, so it was decided to use the majority by making the modifications and extensions necessary for the new program. The public areas presented very generous spaces, but the private areas were very small so the biggest intervention was in these spaces generating greater openness and achieving an open visual communication between all areas of the house.
The house is displaced to the center of the terrain irregularly and completely surrounded by garden so that in all areas the interior exterior relationship was privileged. It was decided to keep the original finish on the outside, which is a demolition partition that was combined with aluzinc black corrugated sheet in the new areas to achieve the contrast of the two projects and making evident the new container that is integrated into the existing construction. The parking lot also grew in size and was used to put a roof over it. The facade towards the street changed drastically and it was imitated with the project achieving a more discreet face.
The interior presents a mixture of finishes well achieved that, together with the type of lighting implemented, generate very warm and welcoming spaces in which natural and industrial materials are present. Predominantly the engineering wood stave, both in floors and walls, elements of blacksmithing in black, apparent concrete walls, demolition wall and floors of black granite and paste.
The color palette is centered on the finishes complemented by a range of neutral gray tones. The selection and specification of the furniture presents an interesting variety with pieces designed specifically for each space and others were bought and imported. An important part of the interior design was the selection of all the art of the house, as well as the vegetation present in each space highlighting the harmony of the contemporary furniture with the antiques that are part of the owners' collection.
Throughout the house are generated visual auctions and openings to the part of gardening on the outside, also forming a series of visual planes that give a perspective of the different areas of the house through different levels.
In the garden, a sunken room with a bonfire was designed for social gatherings throughout the year and at night. This outdoor environment connects directly with the exit of the house -from the dining room- and into the space of the terrace, which is integrated with the barbecue area, achieving a wide multifunctional space to make the most of the spaces outside.
In this project it is evident the great experience of ARCO Arquitectura Contemporánea for the design of residential spaces in which it was achieved, not only the extension of the house, but a complete renovation to receive an architectural program that includes all the needs and tastes of its new inhabitants.
