Mexican studio 1540 Arquitectura has completed Casa ZTG, a detached house in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, Mexico. The interior-facing house was created by the studio for an elderly couple and features a tall marble exterior. The design goal for 1540 Arquitectura was to create a timeless and elegant atmosphere in form and materials, which would reflect the personality and age of the client.

For a flat site, the firm conceived a 1,200-square-metre building that is roughly rectangular in plan. Exterior walls are made of brick and are covered with Roman travertine marble. The front elevation consists of a tall, opaque wall that is lined with an L-shaped reflecting pool. In a lower corner of the facade, a rectangular opening provides access to the interior and offers a glimpse of a lush garden. The architects decided to create an "introverted" home due to the lacklustre surroundings.

It is located in a private cloister that does not offer any interesting views to the outside, adding that limited glazing also mitigates solar heat gain. The home has three levels, one of which is below ground. In the front half of the main floor, lofty corridors wrap around the verdant garden. Arrayed along these hallways are a kitchen, a living room, a formal dining area, a small office and a master suite. Retractable glass walls provide seamless access to the backyard, which features a terrace, swimming pool and hot tub.

Refined, earthy materials are found throughout the residence, including European oak for floors, wall panelling and ceilings. In the public zone, Verde Apli marble was used to create a chunky partition between the living room and formal dining area. Marble was also used in the master suite. In this case, grey arabescato marble forms a wall behind the bed, which separates the sleeping area from the bathroom. "In both the architecture and furniture, we decided to use a selection of materials, shapes and details that possess timeless sensorial, physical and aesthetic characteristics," the team said.