MAGNOLIA HOUSE by Ezequiel Farca and Cristina Grappin

4.7K

^{_{Company: Ezequiel Farca + Cristina Grappin}}

^{_{Scope of work: Architecture, interior architecture and furniture design}}

^{_{Area: 8,245 ft2 / 766 m2}}

^{_{Structural Engineering: Colinas del Buen}}

^{_{Location: Mexico City, Mexico}}

^{_{Project year: 2017}}

^{_{Architects: © Ezequiel Farca and Cristina Grappin}}

^{_{Photography: © Jaime Navarro}} 

Project description from architecture firms Ezequiel Farca and Cristina Grappin:

The renovation of the Magnolia House sought mainly to rearrange spaces and significantly improve its spatial, functional and formal qualities. This restructuring allowed the architects to improve the home’s views, increase the amplitude of the space, and generate a direct connection between the exterior and interior, creating a symbiotic relationship between the residence and its immediate context.

The original space, for which the studio designed the furniture, remained intact for twenty-five years, and the program was no longer adapted to the family’s current needs. They decided not only to propose a functional solution, but also to include an art collection and generate a new design language consisting of three living blocks finished in travertine marble.

The ground floor includes social areas that are closely linked to the exterior; the private areas are on the upper floor. The blocks are connected through a volume that marks the residence’s central axis and includes a double-height space flooded with natural light. New spaces were conceived in relation to objects such as artworks; elements like scale, natural and artificial lighting, and the intention and significance of the artworks were considered. The existing tree mass on the site was used to filter the light in areas too exposed to the sun. Due to the garden’s location in the rear, the architets were able to fully open the home without compromising privacy. Bedrooms located on the upper level are continuous and narrow, and bathrooms were placed strategically to have large openings, creating a diaphanous and intimate atmosphere.

The three main materials used for the renovation were wood, marble and Veracruz travertine. All are present in both the exterior and interior, providing a sense of unity to all areas of the home. Travertine was chosen for its ability to project a neutral tone when seen from a distance and for its porosity and texture, which give it depth and warmth closer in. The wood on walls, ceilings and furniture creates a sense of comfort that contrasts with the smooth surfaces of desks and fixed marble furniture. 

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