arkham projects wraps its wóolis house courtyard in a concrete lattice screen
the open-air courtyard echoes a contemporary observatory that is illuminated by the shifting natural sunlight of mexico.
arkham projects unveils its newly completed ‘wóolis house‘ in mérida, mexico, a site with a rich mayan heritage. in celebration of the history of its context, the design team and artisans name the project as an homage to the ancient mayan language, referencing the translated word for ‘ball,’ or ‘circle.’ this name echoes the central cylinder around which the dwelling is organized, and which defines the unique character of the space. the team notes that the house invites visitors to remember the origins of the yucatán capital, taking shape as a contemporary observatory that is illuminated by the shifting natural sunlight. this transforming lighting condition upon the concrete lattice visually represents the continual passage of time.
image © zaickz moz
the team at arkham projects precisely orients its wóolis house within its site. the centralized cylinder, with its delicately expressed latticework, allows natural light to illuminate the courtyard and swimming pool. at the same time, the depth of the cylinder ensures that the space receives enough shade, allowing the area to remain unenclosed and comfortably occupied throughout the day. the social area of the house open outward onto this courtyard, linking interior and exterior and allowing both gathering spaces to spill onto each other when the large glass doors are opened.
image © zaickz moz
while arkham projects links the courtyard of the wóolis house with its social spaces, the private areas are left closed off and cloistered. meanwhile, a smaller patio extends from the courtyard and hosts a large álamo tree which projects above the roofline of the entire structure, inviting visitors to anticipate the open-air oasis before entering the house.
image © zaickz moz
image © zaickz moz
image © zaickz moz
image © zaickz moz
image © manolo solís
image © manolo solís
image © zaickz moz
image © zaickz moz
image © manolo solís
image © manolo solís
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project info:
project title: wóolis house
architecture: arkham projects
location: mérida, mexico
completion: 2021
photography: © zaickz moz, manolo solís
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