The House that Reinterprets a Pyramid in Wooden Blocks

Located in Malinalco, Mexico, Mague House is a construction that seeks to harmonize contemporary language with the pre-Hispanic context. Situated in an ancestral site, surrounded by lush vegetation, next to one of the three monolithic pyramids in the world, this house was carefully designed by the clients, taking into consideration the unique microclimate and the giant trees on the property. The design of the house is based on the Mesoamerican worldview, where trees hold ritual significance. Divided into three levels, the house aims to symbolize this connection with nature. The mirrored base reflects the natural terrain and the tree roots, creating a sense of floating for the main volume of the structure. Next, we have the living space, where daily life takes place. Finally, the natural external covering formed by the foliage of the trees. To preserve the trees, the land was carefully scanned, and the house volumes were distributed around them, avoiding any impact on the roots, trunks, and branches. This approach resulted in labyrinthine spaces that continuously change perception according to light and time of day. The interiors of the house connect with the exterior, allowing the inhabitants to be in constant contact with nature. Flexibility is a striking feature of Mague House, making the spaces multifunctional and adaptable to the needs of the moment. Seamless integration with the environment and local culture is achieved through the use of natural and local materials, such as wood, stone, and Chukum (ancient Mayan stucco). Additionally, mirrors on the facades make the building light and continuous, establishing harmony with the surroundings and local architecture. The project references the historical site in various ways, reinterpreting the pyramid into wooden blocks in the main outdoor space and using a carved monolithic stone as a fire pit, representing Mexican food culture. Mague House also has a strong sustainable focus, with solutions that meet various needs. In architecture, there are certain basic elements that are always assumed as given - four walls, a floor, and a ceiling. The fragmented layout of Mague House subtly questions this assumption. The main feature of the house is based on the idea of open living and echoes the charm of Aztec structures through its design and details. Project Name: Mague House (Casa Mague) Year of completion: 2020 Area: 270 m² Use: Residential Location: Malinalco, Mexico Architect: Mauricio Ceballos x Architects Design team: Mauricio Ceballos, Francisco Vázquez, Marco Severino Awards: Architecture Construction & Design Award 2020, Firenze Entremuros Award 2020, Shortlist Obra del Año 2020, Finalist Living Place Award 2020 - Mies Van der Rohe foundation, V Biennale Mexico City 2021 Photography Credits: Diego Padilla Magallanes Other Credits: - Interior Deisgn: Paola Cueli - Press/Graphic Team: Carolina Urrea, María Fernanda García - Construction Administration: Esmeralda Bañales - Specs & materials: Veronica Islas 0:00 - Outdoor Living Room 1:41 - Fire Pit / Jacuzzi 1:56 - Outdoor Dinning Room 2:30 - Indoor Living / Dinning 3:17 - Kitchen/Dinning Room 4:09 - Open Corridor 4:50 - Bedroom 5:50 - External Views 6:57 - Final Takes 8:38 - Drawings