Casa de Carmen
with Leddy Maytum Stacy
Highly self-sufficient reinterpretation of the traditional Mexican courtyard house using local materials and construction techniques
In a remote location on a bluff overlooking the Pacific, this environmentally appropriate house is a modern interpretation of traditional Mexican architecture with simple, strong forms, saturated colors, materials and textures. The relationship of the simple volumes creates rich outdoor living spaces that respond to climatic conditions and views.
Built as a winter residence for a retired Alaskan couple, an entry sequence of paths, patios and gardens creates a ritualistic reenactment of their journey from the cold northern climate through the Sonoran Desert to the calm expanse of the Pacific Ocean.
The design incorporates the available vernacular construction techniques and materials, as well as the climate and culture of its unique location. Water from the nearby mountains is provided via an aquifer but no other public utilities are available. Solar orientation, thick concrete block walls, clerestory windows, light colored pavers, trellises, canopies and shading walls minimize heat gain and allow for a fully naturally ventilated house.
