Merida-based architecture studio Workshop, Diseño y Construcción has renovated a former historic structure by preserving the building's original identity with stone walls, wooden pergolas, and natural colors and elements. 

Designed as a private oasis, the project is named House Sol and located in the heart of Merida’s historic district. Located in the Yucatan península, Mexico the 135-square-metre project emerged as a restoration project combining nature with its history. 

House Sol offers a space for its owners to leave the busy city behind, here they can relax under the shadows of the trees that surround the pool.

Surrounded by walls, the house has its own jungle with mini pool partly situated within a stone volume. Drawn with an elongated plan, the house has two bedrooms, kitchen and dining room, a separate gust room and wc.

The original facade was simply constructed without ornaments, veils a living room, guest suite, dining and living room, a service area. and the master suite, which faces the pool area. 

The patio expands the living space into an outdoor lounge area that is protected by a wooden roof. "The primary aim of the design was to preserve and respect the property’s pre-existing history and nature," said the office. 

"This is why all new construction was built around long-standing trees." 

The building's history allowed the architects to use materials found in the traditional colonial architecture of Yucatan. These materials, such as the pasta tiles, the stone walls, and wooden elements like the beams and doors, give a clue about the original structure of the building.

As the team highlights, "the connection between indoors and outdoors is fundamental to the lifestyle found on the peninsula." As such, the design incorporates big sliding glass windows through which residents can enjoy a full view of the tropical garden and the pool. 

A small swimming pool, a focal point of the house, was built around an old colonial structure, which holds the machinery room. 

Vivid colours such as blue, yellow and red, dominate the color palette of the house, as the team says, they are very common in the architecture of haciendas found across Yucatan. 

"Through its use of natural elements that honor the tradition and history of the land it rises from; Casa Sol aims to create a variety of relaxing atmospheres for its tenants to enjoy," the studio added.

Floor plan

Elevations

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Project facts

Project name: House Sol

Architects: Workshop, Diseño y Construcción

Location: Merida, Mexico 

Size: 135m2 

Date: 2019 

All images © Tamara Uribe

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