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Built alongside a mountain, at the edge of a suburban development, El Encino establishes a harmonious relationship between nature and architecture.
Somewhere in the municipality of Santiago in Nuevo León, Mexico, a house designed as a terraced prism emerges from the steep slope of a mountain, between the winding branches of leafy trees. Nestled among the greenery, right at the edge of a suburban development, the building creates a dialogue between the wild beauty of nature and the geometric expression of contemporary architecture. El Encino was completed by Monterrey-based architecture firm Práctica Arquitectura. While young and emerging, the studio has designed a series of other stunning projects, including La Hacienda Jardín, El Aguacate and Ederlezi.
Fostering a sense of belonging, the house brings nature deep inside the living spaces. The ground floor features a garage as well as a guest room, with a staircase surrounding a patio and a small garden. The mountain becomes a central character in the design; its rugged textures and angular shapes contrast the smooth finishes of the walls and columns. The first floor boasts an open-plan layout, with public areas connecting to a large terrace. Sliding glass doors welcome the greenery inside the house, accentuating the relationship with nature further. Brightened by a skylight, a floating steel staircase leads to the upper level where a large terrace surrounds the living room and bedrooms.
Práctica Arquitectura carefully oriented the living spaces towards the mountain and forest, away from the neighboring homes of the suburban development. As a result, nature becomes an integral part of the project. Materials like exposed brick and excavated stone reinforce the connection further. Other elements include latticework that filters the light, weathered steel railings that match the hues of the nearby rock, and a natural color palette that brings extra warmth to the interiors. Photography© César Béjar, Zaickz Moz, Miguel Cobos, Dove Dope.
