Casa Tres Arboles, designed by Mariana Morale's studio Direccion, is a weekend home renovation project in Valle de Bravo, Mexico, that has been around for 25 years. The starting point for the design was the client's instructions: to "freshen up" the house with new finishes to accommodate more frequent visits and maintain the atmosphere of the place.

Once inside, guests are greeted by a bright double-height foyer filled with natural light from the top glass dome. This absolutely sculpted hall is the main space to stop and be surrounded by the material serenity of the house. The tree from the entrance can be seen through a large window. A high wall was built to hide the stairs, and a black painting by Beatriz Zamora on the opposite wall completes the design. The movement of floor levels provides a threshold; the foyer acts as a gateway connecting the private - bedrooms upstairs, public - and the living area on the first floor, the family space.

With the remodel, the living and dining rooms are now open to a new sundeck, integrated with floor-to-ceiling openings, where they merge into a single living space. This joint common area becomes the energy center of the house, where most family activities take place. Outside, a custom-built stone fire pit in partnership with PAAR is the perfect nighttime gathering spot for the family, and doubles as a watering point for local birds during the rainy season when it is seldom used. All common areas and lounge areas, both indoor and outdoor, have unique views of the lake.

The kitchen and bathroom also reflect the serene and calming character of the natural elements that create the ambience of the house. Their designs are dark and clean. The icy stone countertops contrast with the smooth finishes on the walls, which change with the light during the day, like the pigments found in nature, olive green, gray, and ochre in the bathroom, where the light shines through the security. Iron is sprinkled on the black micro-cement floors and light grey walls.