Take a lot of stone, a little wine – and you have the perfect residence. Casa San Francisco is not located in the north of the American west coast, but on the outskirts of San Miguel de Allende, a small town in the Mexican state of Guanajuato. The sprawling house exudes plenty of warmth despite its modern design. Instead of neighboring houses, when you look outside you see nothing but wild nature and vines.
Where do you put a vacation home when you’re in the fortunate position of having one built? San Miguel de Allende is not a bad choice. The Mexican town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. So culture lovers are well catered for. Those who want to end the evening with a glass of wine are also in luck: the founding of San Miguel de Allende – originally called San Miguel el Grande – in the 16th century coincided with the introduction of wine growing in Mexico by Franciscan monks. It was therefore important to integrate viticulture into the Casa San Francisco project.
The rooms of the house have been divided into five volumes that open up to various landscaped areas and offer an unobstructed view of the vineyards and surrounding nature. An entrance area with a double-height ceiling serves as a transitional space between the exterior and interior. Inside, the house remains simple. Wood and stone harmonize in color and texture. The predominant materials are locally sourced stone from a nearby quarry, unpolished marble for the floors and hand-applied lime paint that complements the natural color of the stone. The result is a monochrome look that soothes the eye rather than overloading it. For the interior, oak furniture was chosen for its simplicity, and the lighting matches the light temperature in 16th century monasteries. Casa San Francisco is a prime example of how the rich history of a place can not only be combined with ultra-modern architecture, but also brought into perfect harmony.
Jorge Garibay Arquitectos
The team at Jorge Garibay Arquitectos, led by Mexican architect Jorge Garibay, aims to create spaces that work with the power of simplicity and do not neglect emotions. In every project, an intensive relationship with the people, their identity, their needs and limitations is cultivated to create living dreams in which you feel one hundred percent at home.
@arqjorgegaribay
Here you can see what other magnificent buildings the team led by Jorge Garibay has brought into the world.
Photos: © Cesar Belio
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