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Las Nubes was born from the owners’ desire for a contemporary forest retreat in Valle de Bravo. Chain + Siman developed the concept in response to the steep site and views towards the golf course, maximising privacy and light. The design draws from local rural architecture and Nordic minimalism, combining pitched black-tiled roofs with warm wood interiors. This creates a strong visual contrast: dark, textured exteriors integrate with the forest while interiors are lined with light wood, feeling bright, cosy and sheltered. The resulting spaces evoke calmness and refuge while embracing the surrounding nature.
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Located in a remote rural area, the project embraces its forested setting by working with natural contours and existing clearings. Its discreet presence, defined by dark brick cladding and simple pitched volumes, allows it to recede visually into the wooded landscape. Gardens use native, shade-tolerant species to sustain ecological continuity. Outdoor terraces and patios create direct links to nature, while large windows frame shifting views and light throughout the day. Additionally, its location on the plot avoids visual relations with the golf course and sets the house closer to the clouds, a feature that gives the project its name. This approach fosters a quiet, respectful coexistence with the forest, making the house feel rooted in its environment rather than imposed upon it.
The project prioritised sustainability through passive design strategies like cross ventilation, natural lighting, and optimal orientation to reduce energy use. Duovent windows improve thermal performance, while synthetic PVC decking offers durability with low maintenance. Locally sourced stone and wood were used throughout. A hydronic heating system ensures energy-efficient temperature control. Landscaping preserved over 70% of the plot and introduced additional regional species to minimise irrigation and support biodiversity. The house has not received awards.
Las Nubes is defined by its spatial clarity, material coherence, and focus on the living experience. Organised into distinct zones, it separates social, private, and service functions to ensure comfort and flexibility for both family life and entertaining guests. Circulation is resolved efficiently; despite the steep terrain, access from the garage to main areas requires minimal stairs, enhancing accessibility. The interiors integrate layered lighting strategies, with recessed tracks providing versatility and indirect lighting creating intimate, warm atmospheres. The kitchen combines black San Gabriel granite with wood cabinetry and connects seamlessly to an outdoor kitchen and dining space, enhancing hospitality and daily rituals. The main bedroom features a mezzanine office that uses the double-height ceiling for privacy and productivity without expanding the footprint. Bathrooms are designed as extensions of the restful palette, integrating wood and stone for spa-like comfort. Outdoor terraces and patios expand living areas into the landscape. A key strength of the project is the custom design of all furniture, ensuring material and spatial continuity. Each decision, from joinery detailing to lighting design, contributes to an environment that feels both elegant and deeply personal, supporting moments of gathering, contemplation, and retreat.
The clients feel the villa achieves a quiet separation from urban life while fitting their lifestyle. They appreciate that its design maintains the comfort and practicality they value while blending into the rural, forested context. For them, the architecture combines contemporary qualities with an unforced simplicity that feels grounded and authentic. This balance allows them to enjoy a lifestyle that remains connected to nature while retaining the functions they seeked in a home
Chain + Siman is a Mexico City-based architecture and interior design firm led by Renatta Chain and Lina Siman. They partnered in 2016 to design projects that balance simplicity, luxury, and functionality through clean lines, natural palettes, and a close dialogue between light, space, and texture. They have designed residential, hospitality, retail, and corporate spaces, each shaped by their dedication to detail, personalised client service, and understanding of cultural and functional contexts. Their architecture integrates a luxurious lifestyle into everyday living, creating atmospheres that evoke emotion, enhance life, and harmonise with their surroundings in spaces that merge a timeless, contemporary and regional feel.
