Casa Luzia Breathes Rustic Elegance Into Mexico’s Diverse Landscape
To create an expansive living space in the bosom of one of Mexico’s most intense climates is a presumptuous challenge, especially when it’s attached to an ecological “master plan” that already boasts a predetermined dwelling. Casa Luzia, the second (in a set of three) mid-forest abodes built by Mexico City’s Saavedra Arquitectos, is a testament to elemental living — bringing the promise of spatial sovereignty and purposeful immersion to the dense, leaf-strewn mountains of Valle de Bravo.
Casa Luzia faces the challenges of Valle de Bravo’s harsh climate head-on, boasting a stilted exterior that floats effortlessly over the home’s hillside gradient. On the dwelling’s exterior, large swathes of timber, stone, and concrete help to define the space’s rectangular foundation. A large chimney, deck area, and overhanging roof structure shield the home’s various patios from the seasonal onslaught of rain. Inside, centralized living areas dressed in stained wood, concrete, and contemporary furniture provide a cozy retreat for the denizens of Casa Luzia — further enhanced by towering columns of stone, expansive windows, and an inviting seating area near the calm, wood-burning fireplace.
