manuel cervantes estudio carves a horse track and stables in puebla’s rocky terrain

manuel cervantes estudio utilizes marble rock extracted from the site during the track construction.

MCervantes edited by pietro mini October 25, 2023 3 min

MANUEL CERVANTES embeds Equestrian Puebla in a steep slope

Equestrian Puebla by Manuel Cervantes Estudio intertwines human and equestrian lifestyles, strategically placed in the rocky terrain of western Puebla in México. The challenge of adapting to the steep slope without compromising the natural landscape leads to the ingenious placement of a 35 x 70 m track, stables, a box, and a private housing development. The project, rooted in the client’s vision of harmonizing people’s lives with equestrian activities, deftly navigates the topography. In a thoughtful response to the land’s nature, the design preserves existing trees and optimizes conditions for each aspect of the program. The central element, the track, stands in equilibrium, skillfully positioned between cuts and containments. The sectional view illuminates the project’s logic, with each program level aligned to the natural topography, minimizing environmental impact.

manuel cervantes estudio carves a horse track and stables in puebla's rocky terrain - 1 — all images by Rafael Gamo

the stables stand under an elongated wooden and steel deck

The stables, outlined along the track’s long side, boast a modular design under a wooden and steel deck, facilitating flexibility in adding stables based on the client’s needs. Six houses, strategically positioned at the property’s highest point, orient themselves towards the track for an immersive experience. Privacy is ensured through abundant vegetation at the rear of each home, creating a harmonious blend of nature and architecture. Materiality echoes the site’s essence, utilizing marble rock extracted during track construction in the stables’ basement and containment elements. Manuel Cervantes Estudio‘s thoughtful design seamlessly integrates built form with the land while meeting the client’s vision of a harmonious coexistence of life and equestrian pursuits.

manuel cervantes estudio carves a horse track and stables in puebla's rocky terrain - 2 — Equestrian Puebla horse track and stables emerge from the rocky terrain of western Puebla, México

manuel cervantes estudio carves a horse track and stables in puebla's rocky terrain - 3 — the project positions a track, stables, and housing unit in harmony with the challenging topography

manuel cervantes estudio carves a horse track and stables in puebla's rocky terrain - 4 — the design deftly navigates the steep slope of the landscape

manuel cervantes estudio carves a horse track and stables in puebla's rocky terrain - 5 — the project utilizes marble rock extracted from the site during the track construction

manuel cervantes estudio carves a horse track and stables in puebla's rocky terrain - 6 — stables, along the track’s long side, feature a modular design under a wooden and steel deck

equestrian-puebla-manuel-cervantes-designboom-1800-2 — materiality echoes the site’s essence in stables’ basements and containment elements

manuel cervantes estudio carves a horse track and stables in puebla's rocky terrain - 7 — Equestrian Puebla creates a harmonious blend of nature and architecture

equestrian-puebla-manuel-cervantes-designboom-1800-3 — Manuel Cervantes Estudio’s design seamlessly integrates built form with the land

project info:

name: Equestrian Puebla
architect: Manuel Cervantes Estudio | @manuelcervantesestudio

lead architect: Manuel Cervantes | @manuelcervantes

design team: Helena Rojas, Jose Luis Heredia, Oswaldo Flores Ingeniería en Puentes Ing., Daniel Peralta García IESH, Samuel Nischli

location: Puebla, México

photography: Rafael Gamo | @rafaelgamo

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