ludwig godefroy's home renovation in mexico allows lush garden to take center stage

Casa SanJe by Ludwig Godefroy

Amidst the pandemic, architect Ludwig Godefroy and his wife envisioned a residence that embraced nature, bringing the garden close to the occupants. Seeking solace in simplicity, they transformed their Mexican house into the enchanting Casa SanJe, a tranquil living environment where they, along with their daughter, could experience the joy of the outdoors within the comforts of home.

the concrete exterior of Casa SanJe | images by Edmund Sumner

a tranquil transformation

‘Casa SanJe was an ordinary Mexican house from the 80’s, without any style, a simple house with tiles on the floor and texturized plaster finishing on the walls, well known as ‘tirol’ in Mexico,’ Ludwig Godefroy shares. Following a very simple approach, the renovation aimed to connect the house with its garden by adding large windows throughout the ground floor. In this way, the interior and the exterior are always connected. ‘We wanted to reverse the space, and for the garden to become more important than the house itself,’ the architect explains. 

The interior was stripped of unnecessary finishings, focusing on just a few materials: concrete, wood, and ‘tezontle’ red volcanic stone, to create a serene atmosphere. Even the furniture, like the table and sofa, is made of concrete. The goal was to make the space timeless, free from trends or decorations, with durable materials that age gracefully over time. The result is a peaceful home where one can rest and find tranquility.

‘a simple house with tiles on the floor and texturized plaster finishing on the walls’

the interior and the exterior are always connected

the interior was stripped of unnecessary finishings, focusing on just a few materials

cutouts in the walls invite the occupants to explore the interior

the open plan interior of the residence

even the furniture, like the table and sofa, was made of concrete

1/8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

project info: 

name: Casa SanJe
architect: Ludwig Godefroy
photography: Edmund Sumner