Cárpatos: The House in the Misty Forest

In a low-density residential neighborhood of Mexico City, Cárpatos stands out for its seamless integration of living space and nature. Designed by IUA Ignacio Urquiza Arquitectos, with interiors by Vieyra Studio, the home occupies a 400 m² site. It grew out of an encounter between urban planning restrictions and a desire to create an open, permeable environment.

 

Cárpatos: a garden as an extension of the living space

 

The house is defined by its long, narrow plan designed to adapt to urban planning regulations, optimize the interior spaces, and create an uninterrupted connection with the outdoors.

A key element of the project is its perimeter garden, conceived as a misty forest that surrounds the steel and glass home on three sides, enriching the sensory experience of its residents.

 

Another garden occupies the void between the vertical circulation cores, amplifying the perception of continuity between inside and out, and naturally regulating the internal temperature.

 

The façade highlights the building’s changing character, the blue-green glass reflecting the sky and greenery, while camouflaging the house within its natural surroundings. The color scheme, drawn from Le Corbusier’s characteristic chromatic palette, harmonizes with the garden greenery, while light gray stucco softens the light indoors and tempers the volume’s rigidity.

 

Spatial articulation across four floors

 

The house spans four levels, each dedicated to specific functions to promote a fluid living experience. The basement houses the utility spaces and leisure zones, including a gym, games room, office, and wine cellar.

 

The entertaining areas are on the first floor, defined by a direct connection with the perimeter garden. Here, the interiors open outward to create a visual and functional continuity with the garden, reinforcing the sensation of a home in harmony with the surrounding greenery.

The private quarters are on the second floor. The three bedrooms overlook the garden, achieving a finely calibrated balance between privacy and openness.

 

Occupied entirely by a children’s play area set among hanging gardens and clay roofs, a roof terrace extends the living spaces. This outdoor recreation space establishes a connection between the urban setting and the natural context.

 

The interiors feature a combination of transparent surfaces, materials, and fabrics. The furniture, designed by Lorena Vieyra, pairs with neutral-toned drapery to create a layered effect that accentuates the lightness of the space.

Sofas and furniture in shades of gray combine with wooden elements to achieve a balance between modernity and nature.

 

Thalia Davidoff’s landscaping reinforces the idea of living in a misty forest, dissolving the boundaries between inside, outside, and the physical limits of the property.

 

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