black concrete volumes carve mavra house into the mexican landscape

Black Concrete Volumes Shape Casa Mavra in Valle de Bravo

Two angular volumes of black concrete define Casa Mavra, a residence in Valle de Bravo, Mexico, designed by TAC Taller Alberto Calleja. The project is organized as a composition of intersecting forms that open toward the surrounding landscape while maintaining a strong connection to the ground. A continuous rising wall establishes the main sequence of entry. Extending from the street toward the interior, this element integrates a water feature that runs alongside the circulation path, marking the transition into the house. The wall continues through the project, organizing spatial distribution and ultimately transforming into roof planes that extend in different directions. This gesture informs the overall identity of the house, reflected in the name ‘Mavra,’ derived from the Greek word for black.

all images by Onnis Luque

TAC’s design Harmonizes Geometry, Materiality, and Landscape

The design team at TAC Taller Alberto Calleja divides the program between two primary volumes. The western, horizontal volume accommodates the social and shared areas. These spaces are arranged around a series of patios that introduce vegetation into the interior, allowing visual and spatial continuity across the length of the volume while maintaining a constant relationship with the surrounding landscape. The eastern volume contains the private areas, including the bedrooms. Its layout is structured through a network of circulation corridors and connecting nodes. Openings in both vertical and horizontal planes allow controlled entry of natural light and rain, contributing to variations in spatial conditions throughout the day. Material consistency, geometric clarity, and the integration of landscape elements define the architectural approach of Casa Mavra, emphasizing the interaction between built form, light, and environment.

two angular volumes define the house’s overall composition