thick outer walls shield casa aguilar’s enclosed volume in mexico

the design transitions between enclosed, intimate areas and expansive open ones, creating a dynamic spatial experience.

Segovia Molina edited by christina vergopoulou September 6, 2024 4 min

Taller Segovia Molina shapes Casa Aguilar in Querétaro

Casa Aguilar, designed by Taller Segovia Molina, is conceived as a sanctuary for introspection and contemplation in Querétaro, Mexico. The architectural approach employs thick outer walls, acting as a protective second skin that shields the home from its densely urban surroundings. Natural light is introduced through patios on all three levels, creating a calm and intimate environment within the residence.

Externally, the house presents itself as a closed, elevated volume, with high walls that seem to float above the ground. The open floor plan integrates a series of wild gardens aimed at attracting pollinating insects and local bird species, enriching the internal landscape with natural life. These internal gardens become the focal point of the house, allowing the flora and fauna to be experienced fully from within its sheltered spaces.

thick outer walls shield casa aguilar's enclosed volume in mexico - 1 — all images by Diego Vázquez Mellado and ZAICKZ

Casa Aguilar’s layout Balances Open and Intimate Spaces

The ground floor is designed with a sequence of open spaces that guide movement from the entrance to the main social area. A rear patio adjacent to the kitchen and dining area floods the double-height interior with natural light, contrasting with the textured walls and light-toned carpentry, offering balance in materiality. The overall design revolves around a spatial rhythm that shifts between enclosed, intimate areas and open, expansive ones. This interplay is visible throughout the home, with each transition creating a change in light and atmosphere.

On the second floor, Taller Segovia Molina’s team houses private and semi-public spaces, including bedrooms, a home office, and a ceramics workshop. The workshop, oriented to the north, opens onto a terrace with a connection to a double-height space, while the home office links to a smaller terrace, benefitting from indirect natural light. On the rooftop, the final garden is designed as a meditative space, offering a quiet refuge surrounded by greenery. This rooftop garden completes the home’s sequence of spaces, blending architectural design with natural elements, and reinforcing the themes of introspection and connection with nature.

thick outer walls shield casa aguilar's enclosed volume in mexico - 2 — Casa Aguilar, designed by Taller Segovia Molina, features thick outer walls as a protective second skin

thick outer walls shield casa aguilar's enclosed volume in mexico - 3 — the outer skin shields the residence from its urban surroundings

thick outer walls shield casa aguilar's enclosed volume in mexico - 4 — natural light filters through patios on all three levels, creating a serene environment inside the residence

thick outer walls shield casa aguilar's enclosed volume in mexico - 5 — externally, the house is a closed, elevated volume with high walls that appear to float above the ground

thick outer walls shield casa aguilar's enclosed volume in mexico - 6 — the design integrates wild gardens aimed at attracting pollinating insects and local birds

casa-aguilar-taller-segovia-molina-designboom-1800-2 — the ground floor features open spaces guiding the flow from the main entrance to the social areas of the house

thick outer walls shield casa aguilar's enclosed volume in mexico - 7 — the gardens become focal points, allowing nature to be experienced from inside the home’s sheltered spaces

casa-aguilar-taller-segovia-molina-designboom-1800-3 — the design transitions between enclosed areas and expansive open ones, creating a dynamic spatial experience

strategic placement of windows facilitates the full opening of the house, but also ensures optimal thermal comfort

project info:

name: Casa Aguilar
architect: Taller Segovia Molina | @tallersegoviamolina

director: Daniel Segovia Molina

architectural team: Daniela Sigales, Ernesto Perea

structure: Andrés Casal

landscaping: Matorral

built area: 330 sqm

location: Querétaro, Mexico

photography: Diego Vázquez Mellado | @diegovmellado, ZAICKZ | @zaickz.moz

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