Casa Marbel
The project is located at 20 de Noviembre street, corner with Calle Progreso in Ocuilan de Arteaga, State of Mexico. The property consists of 86 m2, in which previously there was a house that was destroyed by the earthquake that occurred in Mexico on September 19, 2017.
Currently, there are some factors that gave shape to the design of the architectural proposal, mainly this is located in the foothills of the Calvary Sanctuary. Likewise, there are some flowering trees, through which the family makes wreaths and generates economic resources, which is why it is intended to respect these natural resources, as well as the topography. Finally, the connection with the house next to the project, since they are relatives of the family.
The set is divided into three small volumes woven by a pair of platforms that go around a central patio. In total, there is 31.3 m2 of built area, subtracting 54.7 m2 of free area.
The kitchen, located on the south side of the land, has at one end, with a wood or tlecuil stove, to preserve the cooking traditions of the area. In between, the dining room leaves the possibility that it grows towards the patio creating a connection between interior space - exterior space - nature. On the other side, you will find appliances such as the stove and the refrigerator.
The bathroom, located on the west side between the rooms and the dining area. The volume is divided into four zones: W.C., shower, sink and cellar, each part can be used independently. The private humid zones are ventilated by means of lattices made with the same constructive system, machimbloque compacted earth.
The last volume of the project belongs to the rooms, with openings to the south to generate warmth inside. The space is designed for two beds, one for a child and the other for two adults. Two platforms, with a difference of 30 cm in height, and an intermediate piece of furniture is what separates and generates privacy between both beds.
Casa Pedro y Paz
The
municipality of Malinalco, in the state of Mexico, was one of the
most affected after the earthquake of September 19, 2017, which in a
few minutes left hundreds of families homeless, with an uncertain
panorama and in the face of a long reconstruction process, which is
currently continuing.
Such
was the case of Pedro and Paz's house, which together with their
children and grandchildren will begin the reconstruction of their
home. The property is subdivided into two halves, one belonging to
Pedro and Paz and another to their children. In the center, on the
border between the two, is a water well. This well provides water to
Pedro and Paz's family, as well as to anyone who needs it. Pedro
explained that water is a common good and that it cannot be his
decision, nor can anyone deprive his community of that good, reason
why he asked that the well, as well as an area of 1m around it be
left free, without any wall, fence or element that restricted access.
Within
half of Pedro and Paz land, there is a house, belonging to Pedro's
mother. This house is made up of two rooms, one with access on the
main street and another on the Pedro property. In front of the latter
are two trees, a guava and an avocado.
At
the beginning the family did not show much interest in preserving the
trees, asking to take full advantage of the free land. The coaching
staff in turn advised the family to preserve the trees for the
creation of an access patio that would allow for better lighting,
ventilation and that would also provide a kinder temperature to all
rooms in the house by producing shade. Not to mention that they could
continue enjoying its fruits.
In
the end the family accepted the creation of the patio, which allowed
the articulation of the program in three volumes around him. The
kitchen, dining room and bathroom were placed in the first volume
corresponding to the most public uses. In the second volume
corresponding to the preexistence of Pedro's mother's house, the room
with access from the patio was taken to integrate it as one of the
rooms of the new house. The third volume, housed Pedro and Paz's
room; delimited by the preexistence, the access street, the drawer
and the patio.
Several
small windows were designed for the facades of the house instead of a
large window to the outside, because the family expressed concern for
the security and privacy of their home. Towards the interior,
regular-sized windows opened, reinforcing the virtues of having the
access patio, which was preserved without a door, leaving low walls
with mud lattices to give privacy, without obstructing the view of
the trees from the alley, as well as air circulation.
Pedro
and Paz expressed during one of the participatory workshops that they
did not intend to grow the house in height, so the technical body
recommended placing a wooden roof with tile due to its rapid
placement and lightness. After the conclusion of the participatory
design process, Pedro and his family began building the house with
the limited resources assigned to them. Pedro, along with his son
José, took picks and shovels to begin the foundations of his house.