French-born Mexican architect Ludwig Godefroy designed this fragmented concrete house in merida, in Mexico's Yucatan state, spanning an 80-metre-long site to draw on mayan traditions and culture.
The first thing about Casa Merida is its unabashedness of barbarism, which is defined by the harsh, ubiquitous concrete, all the hard edges and rough surfaces of Mexico's tough sun. The second problem is that most of the buildings seem to be open to the outdoors, with few fully enclosed Spaces.
Aesthetics are reflected in simple decor such as wooden furniture, a stone bathtub and a rough sink. Blue textiles and artwork add color to the pool, echoing the pool's tone. He upended the traditional layout of the house by moving the backyard garden to the front as a buffer behind the street, kitchen, living room and swimming pool.
- Architect: Ludwig Godefroy
- Photos: Rory Gardiner
- Words: Xran
