The essence of a ruin lost in the jungle. Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos
11/10/2022.
[Colima] Mexico
metalocus, ANNA CLARA BARROS
metalocus, ANNA CLARA BARROS
Designed by the Mexican studio Di Frenna Arquitectos, Casa Entreparotas is inspired by the existing jungle atmosphere, with a variety of tropical vegetation, where parotas and fig trees stand out. The intention of the project is to allow its inhabitants to live in constant relationship with nature and to value a small stream that runs through the land.
The result is imposing concrete volumes that adapt to the relief characteristics of the area. The house has been shaped in a considerate way, generating a series of routes with views of the vegetation and that invite the user to explore the spaces of the residence. The perforation of the large volumes with floor-to-ceiling windows give the opportunity for small gardens to intersect and uninterruptedly embrace the house.
The result is imposing concrete volumes that adapt to the relief characteristics of the area. The house has been shaped in a considerate way, generating a series of routes with views of the vegetation and that invite the user to explore the spaces of the residence. The perforation of the large volumes with floor-to-ceiling windows give the opportunity for small gardens to intersect and uninterruptedly embrace the house.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos. Photograph by Lorena Darquea.
Floor Plan. Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos.
First floor. Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos.
Section. Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos.
Section. Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos.
Front elevation. Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos.
East Elevation. Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos.
Rear Elevation. Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos.
West Elevation. Casa Entreparotas by Di Frenna Arquitectos.
Di Frenna Arquitectos' proposal, led by architect Matia Di Frenna Müller, used a mixed structure of concrete and steel that achieves homogeneity with the handcrafted workmanship of stone walls and parota wood. The neutral and stony colours of the materials are an interpretation of the essence of a ruin lost in the jungle and allow the project to age along with its surroundings.
The lower floor includes the living room and dining room which are fully open with a double height, which resembles a glass box that intersects the main axis and maximizes the entrance of natural lighting. The terrace separates itself from the rest of the program and connects with the garden through interspersed bodies of water and also accommodates a viewpoint that can be accessed via a staircase to enjoy the view of the horizon.
The lower floor includes the living room and dining room which are fully open with a double height, which resembles a glass box that intersects the main axis and maximizes the entrance of natural lighting. The terrace separates itself from the rest of the program and connects with the garden through interspersed bodies of water and also accommodates a viewpoint that can be accessed via a staircase to enjoy the view of the horizon.
Description of project by Di Frenna Arquitectos
Entreparotas house is a project which allows its users to live in constant relation with nature, therefore the premise of choosing a site that would enhance the relevance of the existing flora and a small stream that passes through the terrain. Tropical vegetation, where the parotas and fig trees stand out, generates a jungle atmosphere that made the design concept possible.
Imposing concrete volumes that understood the site’s topography, were placed in a studied way, generating a series of paths to wander around the house. The created routes, always grant the vegetation to pop out and allow the user to discover the residence.
Selected materials play with a range of neutral and stone-like colours which interpret the essence of a lost ruin in the middle of the jungle, where architecture takes a step back to praise what happens on the outside and also dignifies and favours its components to acquire a perceptible richness as it ages along with the environment.
Light, wind and rain are elements that surround continuously the building, the perforation of big volumes with windows from floor to ceiling allows the crossing of small gardens which constantly embrace the house.
Downstairs the project harbours the heart of the residence; both living and dining rooms are opened completely with a double-height ceiling, which resembles a crystal box that intersects the main axis and blurs the boundaries between inside and outside, providing natural lighting to all the spaces, which are connected through stairs that once again bet for enjoyable passages, with the terrace.
This last one diverges from the rest of the program surrounded by alternated water bodies that reward closer contact with the garden and also accommodate a rooftop which you access through a light-structured stair to enjoy a moment of sightseeing.
The upper level hosts the most private zones. Walking through the stairs that are placed in the centre of the house, to continue with the idea of the importance of light and the direct connection with the context, you reach an elongated corridor whose perspective is extended with the double height of the ground floor which distributes to the bedrooms.
The proposed structure solved the possibility of large cantilevers and free wall spaces, that could be perceived as completely open toward the back facade. This is how a mixed structure of concrete and steel was chosen and achieved a perfect blend with artisan work in stone walls and parota woodwork.
More information
Architects
Project team
Matia Di Frenna Müller, Mariana De la Mora.
Collaborators
Engineer Juan Guarda. Landscaping.- Di Frenna Architects.
Area
568 sqm.
Dates
2019.
Location
Colima, Colima, Mexico.
Photography
Matia Di Frenna Müller Di Frenna Arquitectos
Di Frenna Arquitectos is a young multidisciplinary architecture and design firm, with the ability to solve existing problems between users and their needs inside and outside the urban area.
Their works are linked to tradition and they constantly experiment with materials and techniques, with the support of the good and creative Mexican craftsmanship they have. They understood architecture as a space-place, that its main purpose is to excite and at the same time fulfill the function for which it was designed. Functional spaces create their architecture, trying to match monumental and sculptural volumes with little maintenance, thereby creating a very sober, functional and clean architecture.
Their works are linked to tradition and they constantly experiment with materials and techniques, with the support of the good and creative Mexican craftsmanship they have. They understood architecture as a space-place, that its main purpose is to excite and at the same time fulfill the function for which it was designed. Functional spaces create their architecture, trying to match monumental and sculptural volumes with little maintenance, thereby creating a very sober, functional and clean architecture.
