La Casa del Alma is a contemporary Mexican family home that explores the relationship between craft, memory, and identity through space and materiality. Each area reflects the lifestyle of its inhabitant, from jewelry making and photography to art collecting, forming a cohesive narrative of shared heritage and individual expression.
The design balances modern restraint with artisanal character, using materials such as limestone plaster, travertine, oak, and handcrafted Talavera tile to create warmth and cultural continuity. Light is carefully filtered across textured surfaces, supporting both focus and reflection, while open spatial connections encourage interaction across generations.
Accessibility is integrated throughout the home to support the grandfather’s independence, reinforcing inclusivity as a fundamental aspect of the design. The result is a living environment that supports both personal expression and collective experience, a space where family, culture, and everyday life are meaningfully intertwined.
Concept & Material Direction
The interior collage explores the intended atmosphere of the space, focusing on light, texture, and cultural expression rather than a direct representation of the final design. The material palette translates this direction into built form, using natural and handcrafted elements to create warmth, continuity, and a sense of identity throughout the home.
Spatial Organization
The house is organized across two levels, with shared living spaces and the grandfather’s suite located on the ground floor to support accessibility and daily interaction. A central living and dining core anchors the plan, allowing circulation to flow clearly between spaces.
The first floor accommodates more private functions, including bedrooms and individual workspaces. This distribution creates a balance between collective living and personal retreat, while the integrated elevator ensures independent movement and continuity across both levels.
Rendered Floor Plans – Spatial Organization
The floor plans illustrate the spatial distribution of the house across two levels. The ground floor (left) is organized as an open plan, where the kitchen, dining, and living areas are visually and physically connected. This layout is informed by research into Mexican domestic environments, where shared spaces play a central role in daily life, supporting interaction, gathering, and a strong sense of family presence. The grandfather’s suite is also located on this level, allowing for accessibility and direct engagement with these communal areas.
The first floor (right) transitions into more private zones, including bedrooms and individual workspaces tailored to each family member. This separation maintains a balance between collective living and personal retreat, while circulation remains clear and continuous throughout the home.
Rendered Section – Spatial Experience
The section highlights the transition between open communal areas and more enclosed private spaces. Changes in height, enclosure, and light define each zone while maintaining continuity throughout the house.
Spaces
Layered. Personal. Connected.
The house is organized as a sequence of spaces that balance shared living and individual expression. Each area responds to its inhabitant while remaining connected through a cohesive spatial and material language.
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