Trees shape a patio house on the heights of Guadalajara

Built near a protected reserve, Casa Caribu stands within a forest of pines and oaks on a sloping terrain. The site’s natural and landscape value led Taller Tequio to design the house to preserve as much of the existing conditions as possible. The design thus incorporates a layout that retains over 80% of the existing vegetation, while following the natural topography.

The house, organized around a central courtyard, draws on many characteristics of Mexican architecture. On a macro level, the layout is inspired by pre-Columbian traditions that have influenced contemporary architecture in Guadalajara. At the same time, the choice of construction techniques and certain details reflect local culture at large, such as the use of dark clay tiles for the roof.

The entire building is constructed using three main materials. The base, visible in varying degrees according to the terrain conditions, is made of exposed concrete, shaped and textured by wooden formwork. The house’s walls, built of brick and coated with plaster, are closed off from the outside, allowing complete permeability towards the inner courtyard. This courtyard features a simple metal structure that encloses the space and creates continuity between the landscape and the dwelling. The interior, simple yet cohesive with the architectural materials, follows the idea of the overall architecture, which successfully blends tradition and contemporary design, fostering a continuous dialogue with the surrounding vegetation and forest.