rustic accents pop out from contemporary casa mulata in oaxaca

Casa Mulata: a subtle encounter of rustic & modern touches

Architecture firm RootStudio brings rustic pops within its contemporary lodging in the center of Oaxaca. Dubbed ‘Casa Mulata,’ the residential project emerges from the restoration of three sections of an old mansion house whose construction dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The architects sought to blend modern elements with features that celebrate the architectural legacy of the historic city, creating a bridge between the present and the past.

Led by architect João Boto Cæiro, the team retained elements of the original infrastructure, such as the terracotta walls and the ceiling vaults, incorporating a modern wood-clad structure to form two unique spaces within its interior. The new structure is portable and not anchored. This means that it can be removed at any time, restoring the primordial state of the property.

all images © RootStudio (images found here)

Rustic & natural elements dominate the interior

For Casa Mulata, the Oaxaca-based architecture studio revisited the value of traditional building techniques, all the while incorporating bioconstruction and social responsibility principles. The final result sees a harmonic coexistence between the colonial and the contemporary period, creating a subtle fusion between the old and the avant-garde. As the architects mentioned, ‘The original area of 81 square meters, with its pre-existing adobe walls, was used to achieve an environmental dichotomy between its two levels, nestled behind the old façade.’

Casa Mulata comprises two levels: the main floor and a mezzanine. The ground level accommodates the kitchen and living room, while the upper one hosts a bedroom and a bathroom. The interiors are imbued with different textures, materials, and a neutral color palette, evoking an elegant and classic atmosphere. For the new structure, the architects utilized recovered wood to clad walls, floors, and ceilings, generating a warm and cozy interior. The double-height space gives the property greater flexibility, with a terrace expanding the living area and offering panoramic views of the mountains of the Valley of Oaxaca.

When it comes to furniture and decorative details, the studio collaborated with local master artisans with expertise in textiles, pottery, and cabinetmaking. Rustic and natural elements take over the space. Endemic materials, such as clay, tropical woods (nopo, pine, and tzalam), earth- and lime-based paints, and vegetation reflect the natural environment in its simple form.