make your fridays matter with a well-read weekend

 

Casa Pasiddhi by Rojkind Arquitectos is discovered as “an introverted stone vestige”

With fluted black concrete exteriors, Rojkind Arquitectos arranges Pasiddhi House in Mexico as an elevated, “snake-shaped” series of bridges and volumes above a living, central garden.

by Jincy IypePublished on : Sep 20, 2022

When it comes to residential design, there are several factors that architects and designers are perpetually accommodating for – inclusion of natural light and living flora, minimum circulatory routes with continuous visual pathways, enhanced ventilation, and usage of natural materials, to name a few. Barring these, how can a dwelling's spatial language and architectural aesthetic be experimented with, in a way that is imaginative, stimulating and innovative (but not jarringly so), while remaining faithful to the conventional, accepted typology of homes?

The Pasiddhi House is realised across two levels organised around a verdant garden | Casa Pasiddhi by Rojkind Arquitectos | STIRworld
The Pasiddhi House is realised across two levels organised around a verdant gardenImage: Jaime Navarro

Unusual yet tenderly grounded, Casa Pasiddhi defies labelling in its handsomely dark and solid physique - Mexico-based Rojkind Arquitectos has conceived this abode over a verdant, living garden, based on “snake-shaped” passageways that define its spaces, posing discoveries, relaxed nooks and pleasant surprises at every turn and corner. A family oasis taking up residence in “Hacienda de Valle Escondido”, in the State of Mexico, the Pasiddhi House even allows one to forget the presence of next-door neighbours.

Casa Pasiddhi in Mexico was conceived in a collaboration between Rojkind Arquitectos, Agustin Pereyra and Inocente Colectivo | Casa Pasiddhi by Rojkind Arquitectos | STIRworld
Casa Pasiddhi in Mexico was conceived in a collaboration between Rojkind Arquitectos, Agustin Pereyra and Inocente Colectivo Image: Jaime Navarro

A journey into inhabitance escorted by designed circulatory spaces, the Mexican architecture is arranged as a succinctly composed array of sheltered passages that link the dwelling's living programme spread over the ground and first levels. The captured photographs (assumingly) do not do full justice to the meekly intricate, meandering design, its spaces and circulatory routes calling to be experienced and encountered. Precise but never pedantic, this interesting programming, as well as the zoning, planning, and most elements of the interior design, were affected by the client’s need for privacy, and a desire to reside around living plants.

The dwelling's snake-shaped feature is formed by a series of bridges, forming a contemplation patio garden at its cente | Casa Pasiddhi by Rojkind Arquitectos | STIRworld
The dwelling's snake-shaped feature is formed by a series of bridges, forming a contemplation patio garden at its center Image: Jaime Navarro

“In Casa Pasiddhi, a traditional architectural housing program becomes a meandering discovery. Everything happens within a circulation system contained in a solid concrete volume with multiple exits where its path is made in a semi-dark passage, illuminated mainly by overhead skylights during the day and very subtle downlights at night,” the Mexican architects relay.

  • The array of container-shaped passageways defines Pasiddhi House's architecture | Casa Pasiddhi by Rojkind Arquitectos | STIRworld
    The array of container-shaped passageways defines Pasiddhi House's architecture Image: Jaime Navarro
  • A simple materiality of concrete, wood and glass was adopted for the dwelling's design | Casa Pasiddhi by Rojkind Arquitectos | STIRworld
    A simple materiality of concrete, wood and glass was adopted for the dwelling's design Image: Jaime Navarro

Designed in collaboration with Agustin Pereyra and Inocente Colectivo, the sleek residential architecture journeys lightly around a lush green garden, contrasting with its own dusky prominence. Casa Pasiddhi enjoys a site located within a residential area characterised by modern, country-style houses, compared to which, this project is affably discovered as “an introverted stone vestige, revealing only some features of its solid and brutalist volume,” according to Michel Rojkind, principal architect of the Mexico City-based office. The winding floor plans were also partly conceived as a reaction to the gentle slope of the site.

Most of the carved out upper level is elevated over the verdant garden | Casa Pasiddhi by Rojkind Arquitectos | STIRworld
Most of the carved out upper level is elevated over the verdant garden Image: Jaime Navarro

The contemporary architecture's materiality is articulated with just three materials - concrete, wood and glass. The concrete is displayed across two colours and textures - grey concrete with a smooth finish for the walls of the service elements, grey concrete slabs, and dark concrete with a zigzag finish to reinforce the “hugging gesture” of the project, while wood, glass facades and glazing are successful in injecting warmth to the interiors.

In comparison to the neighbouring country-style houses, the Pasiddhi House is discovered as “an introverted stone vestige
In comparison to the neighbouring country-style houses, the Pasiddhi House is discovered as “an introverted stone vestige" Image: Jaime Navarro

Going through a simple lattice of vertical wooden elements that just separate the street from the property, a fluted black concrete volume comes into sight, containing the home’s horizontal and vertical connections, “making an abstract mobility diagram”. The volume of the concrete architecture rises imperceptibly, freeing the garden and showing various areas of the house existing amid the abundant and wild vegetation.

  • Casa Pasiddhi features a black, fluted concrete exterior  | Casa Pasiddhi by Rojkind Arquitectos | STIRworld
    Casa Pasiddhi features a black, fluted concrete exterior Image: Jaime Navarro
  • Closeup of the fluted skin of the structure  | Casa Pasiddhi by Rojkind Arquitectos | STIRworld
    Closeup of the fluted skin of the structure Image: Jaime Navarro

The series of bridges making up Pasiddhi House’s snake-shaped feature creates a contemplation patio garden at its centre, with the rooms and spaces of family gathering hovering above. “While entering the house you discover the main garden in which all the views and social activities of the family are centred (on),” shares Agustin Pereyra.

The deck is used as a space to practise yoga (L); usage of floor to ceiling glass windows opens up the house to nature (R)  | Casa Pasiddhi by Rojkind Arquitectos | STIRworld
The deck is used as a space to practise yoga (L); usage of floor to ceiling glass windows opens up the house to nature (R) Image: Jaime Navarro

Apart from hosting the pedestrian and vehicular entries, the ground level welcomes one into the lobby and main hall by means of open-air staircases, accompanied by greens. One then walks into the open-plan living and dining space bookended by a roomy kitchen, with utility areas including the pantry, laundry and service room bringing up the rear. The floor above houses an expansive living room, master bedroom, terrace deck, bedrooms and studio space overlooking the central patio from where the lobby is accessed below.

The rear side of the residence presents the living areas | Casa Pasiddhi by Rojkind Arquitectos | STIRworld
The rear side of the residence presents the living areas Image: Jaime Navarro

The circulatory passages with walls and roofs, conceived as container volumes provide the inhabitants with privacy, in tandem with imparting the concrete architecture with modern touches. The element also gives distinction to the property while defining views for the users, apart from giving the house “a volumetric intention".

  • View of the open-plan living area on the ground level  | Casa Pasiddhi by Rojkind Arquitectos | STIRworld
    View of the open-plan living area on the ground level Image: Jaime Navarro
  •  The warm, sunlit interior pleasantly contrasts the dusky exterior | Casa Pasiddhi by Rojkind Arquitectos | STIRworld
    The warm, sunlit interior pleasantly contrasts the dusky exterior Image: Jaime Navarro

Casa Pasiddhi’s social programme centres itself on its snaking element, which becomes the preamble as well as the driving force of the residential design, where it directs attention, guides and frames views. From here, access to the floor above opens, where its warm spaces start appearing discreetly.

 A visual experience from semi-dark to light filled and expansive spaces is revealed inside the house | Casa Pasiddhi by Rojkind Arquitectos | STIRworld
A visual experience from semi-dark to light filled and expansive spaces is revealed inside the houseImage: Jaime Navarro

While traversing each room of the house, a visual experience from semi-dark circulations to sunlit, wide views is perceived, with bright, floor-to-ceiling glass elements that open up the residence to nature. An opposite development is taking place outside – “the spaces that are delimited, framed, or covered by the volume that rises and winds, create multiple experiences within a garden that invites you to visit it and discover the different areas of the house,” the design team elaborates.

The studio (L) and terrace (R) on the first floor | Casa Pasiddhi by Rojkind Arquitectos | STIRworld
The studio (L) and terrace (R) on the first floor Image: Jaime Navarro

Arranged in a deftly pleasing composition, the house’s spaces seclude and open themselves up to each other as well as the landscape design outside, which also regards and accommodates future needs of flexibility and expansion.

The Pasiddhi House indulges in what can be termed, a gentle brutalism, witnessed in its sturdy facades and hefty volumes, contrasted and softened by the greens it snakes above, as well as its amiable, warm interiors. The collaboration between Rojkind Arquitectos, Agustin Pereyra and Inocente Colectivo reveals a patient, subtly experimental route of designing a typical residence, that rethinks the typology and aesthetic of a traditional home. Casa Pasiddhi’s planning and materiality, seemingly simple and solid, stand out in its arranged, winding form that cordially juxtaposes with the garden it settles itself around, and grants it, a timeless, enduring quality.

  • Floor plans (1F, 2F) and rooftop plan | Casa Pasiddhi by Rojkind Arquitectos | STIRworld
    Floor plans (1F, 2F) and rooftop plan Image: Courtesy of Rojkind Arquitectos
  • Sections | Casa Pasiddhi by Rojkind Arquitectos | STIRworld
    Sections Image: Courtesy of Rojkind Arquitectos
  • Elevations (façades 1-5) | Casa Pasiddhi by Rojkind Arquitectos | STIRworld
    Elevations (façades 1-5) Image: Courtesy of Rojkind Arquitectos

Project Details

Name: Casa Pasiddhi (Pasiddhi House)
Location: State of Mexico, Mexico
Year of completion: 2022
Architect: Rojkind Arquitectos: Michel Rojkind, Ruth Díaz, Eli Ambris, Victor Cruz, Victor Martinez, Daniel Flores, Arie Willem, Adrian Kreslik, Edgar Aurioles, Gerardo Salinas, Adrían Aguilar, Andrea León; Agustin Pereyra: Agustin Pereyra, Roxana León; Inocente Colectivo: Paulina Goycoolea, Alfonso Paz
Principal Architect: Michel Rojkind
Structural Engineer: Ing. Juan Felipe Heredia
MEP: Ing. Germán Muñoz
Landscape Consultant: PA-AR Taller, Paola López, Carlos Ríos
Custom Installations: NTX, Jaime Freyria
Lighting Consultant: Luz en Arquitectura
Builder: ESPAI, Arq. Carlos Ortíz
Installations: MRG Intalaciones y Diseño
Kitchen: Piacere
Interiors: Mutuo Estudio - Paola Ruiz De Chavéz, Geysell Capetillo

What do you think?

About Author

Recommended

LOAD MORE
see more articles
5032,5101,5007,4913,4907

make your fridays matter

SUBSCRIBE
This site uses cookies to offer you an improved and personalised experience. If you continue to browse, we will assume your consent for the same.
LEARN MORE AGREE