RL HOUSE

Location: Mérida, Yucatán, México

Year: 2022 - 2023

Built Area: 740 M2, Land: 1,287.80 M2

Architect in charge: Arq José Pablo Ríos Rendón

Collaborator: Arq Isabella Pérez Ancona

Status: Built

"RL House" is a very special project. The land is located in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, in a suburban area to the northeast of the city of Mérida, covering an area of 1,287.80 m². The family’s request was very clear: to prioritize the social area, incorporate dense vegetation, and feature architecture with a Yucatecan character. These guidelines are integrated into the project, making use of the length of the land and incorporating a series of visual endpoints toward the patio and gardens at every moment.

In the design process, an "L" scheme was chosen, allowing us to group the service and private areas in the left wing and position the social area on a perpendicular axis to integrate the public space with the terrace/patio. This results in a versatile space that can expand and double in size for family events. The private area consists of two high-ceiling volumes that shield from the western sunlight and open to the northwest and southeast, thereby capturing the prevailing winds. This approach responds not only to the client’s needs but also to the site itself.

For this reason, and due to the extremely hot climate of the region, our culture has a deep-rooted appreciation for the patio-terrace. With this in mind, the heart of the house is represented by the central patio, which connects all the spaces, each with a view towards it. Privacy filters are created in the surrounding areas through gardens, framing the spaces with large windows that allow this connection.

As for the materials and construction method, the traditional system of the region was used, implementing stone masonry foundations, concrete block walls and concrete slab beams with vaults. The walls are covered with local stone veneer and chukum, materials originating in the region that, due to their thermal properties, keep the spaces cool and transmit a sense of belonging. The construction uses local materials such as stone and chukum, ensuring both freshness and cultural roots in the design.

Photograph: Tamara Uribe