The architectural narrative of Mexico is as rich and complex as its history. Casa Mexicana, presented by Thames & Hudson, is a decade-long project brought to life through the lens of London-based photographer Edmund Sumner and the words of design journalist Jonathan Bell. The book dives into the evolving lexicon of contemporary Mexican residences, presenting a visual and textual exploration that places these homes within their social, cultural and environmental contexts. At its core, it is about contrasts: straddling between wealth and poverty, tradition and modernity, and landscapes that shift from arid deserts to lush jungles. Featuring works by distinguished architects such as Héctor Barroso, Ludwig Godefroy, Fernanda Canales and Ambrosi Etchegaray, the publication reflects on a generation of designers redefining the Mexican home; not as an object, but as an experience.

Bell’s introduction provides a lens into the dynamic forces shaping Mexican architecture. From the reforms spurred by the Mexican Revolution to the cultural crosscurrents of the 20th century, he situated the architectural innovations of the era within a broader narrative of change and resilience.

A pragmatism characterised by adaptability and the use of local materials and environmental sensitivity are recurrent threads running through the homes featured in the book. From remote retreats to urban interventions, the spreads capture the imagination, rigour and craftsmanship shaping Mexico’s built environment today. The stark juxtaposition of abundance and paucity is reflected in homes that range from expansive villas to modest retreats. This contrast does not merely divide but enriches the narrative. Each home, regardless of scale, serves as a response to its environment; be it a dense urban block, a windswept coastline, or a secluded jungle.

As one of the earliest countries to absorb the principles of the Modern Movement, Mexico's architectural journey is marked by a distinctive blend of radicalism and tradition. The colonial era had left its mark through Neoclassical architecture imported from Europe, but for many, change and upheaval could not come quickly enough. Progressive leaders such as José Vasconcelos (1882–1959), Minister for Education in the early 1920s, channelled revolutionary fervour into the realm of visual arts rather than architecture, supporting muralists like José Clemente Orozco (1883–1949), David Alfaro Siqueiros (1896–1974) and Diego Rivera (1886–1957). Architecture, however, maintained close ties with the European and American avant-garde, fostering changes in the built environment.

Initially, a form of stripped, Deco-esque classicism found official favour, but this gave way to a functionalist ethos adapting to Mexican conditions. Pioneering works, such as the house and studio designed for Rivera and Frida Kahlo by Juan O’Gorman in 1932, echoed early European modernists while carving a distinct identity for itself within the Mexican context. Such developments, coming across in the book, laid the groundwork for an experimental approach that defines Mexican architecture to this day.

Casa Mexicana explores several distinct categories of homes, each showcasing unique attributes. The creative spaces section includes projects that highlight the interplay of art and architecture. One of the featured projects is Casa Wabi, a sprawling arts complex on the Oaxaca coast. Designed by Tadao Ando in collaboration with Mexican artist Bosco Sodi, the site blends artistry and architecture with the raw beauty of its surroundings. A defining feature is Ando’s signature concrete wall, which stretches across the site, dividing private and public spaces while framing dramatic ocean views. The complex is as much about community engagement as it is about artistic expression, with elements like pottery workshops and a tree nursery reinforcing its local connections. Casa Wabi exemplifies how architecture in Mexico can transcend function to become a cultural bridge. Its design respects the vernacular while introducing contemporary forms, making it a site of quiet radicalism.

The section on architectural retreats brings attention to how Mexico’s vast and varied landscape inspires designs that merge seclusion with connectivity to nature. Among those is Casa Naila, located on the Pacific coastline in the village of El Puertecito, Oaxaca. Designed by BAAQ, the house features four pavilions arranged around a central courtyard, elevated on a concrete plinth. Lightweight timber panels clad in dried palm fronds create permeable walls that allow ocean breeze to flow through, while the courtyard’s pool and native plants enhance the connection to the environment. The home’s blend of traditional materials and contemporary design celebrates the vernacular architecture of the region while offering a raw and adaptable space aptly suited to its coastal setting.

Another section titled 'experimental structures' showcases projects such as Casa HMZ and Casa 720, which push the boundaries of residential design. These homes explore how budget constraints, unconventional materials and challenging landscapes can inspire innovation. Casa HMZ uses recycled materials and sustainable architecture to adapt to its surroundings, while Casa 720's sculptural geometry responds to its challenging terrain.

The book also delves into family homes, which are often regarded as the mainstay of an architectural practice. The featured projects range from austere retreats to expansive houses, each reflecting the ingenuity and adaptability of Mexican architects. Casa Kem by Gantous Arquitectos, for instance, blends indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing families to connect deeply with their environment. In contrast, Deco House by Reyes Ríos + Larraín Arquitectos pays homage to traditional hacienda-style architecture while embracing modern living needs. Features like open-air living spaces, natural light and locally sourced materials create a sense of understated elegance while redefining luxury. As Bell notes in the book, “Luxury here is not about extravagance but about a sensitive and meaningful response to place.”

The topographical diversity of Mexico, with its nearly 9,300 kilometres of coastline and a range of biomes from jungles to deserts, plays a significant role in shaping these homes. Each project responds uniquely to its surroundings, whether through the use of climate-adaptive materials, ingenious layouts, or integration with the landscape. For example, homes along the Pacific coast often incorporate expansive windows and shaded terraces to frame ocean views, while jungle retreats like Plantel Matilde leverage natural ventilation and water features to cool interiors.

While Casa Mexicana captures only a fragment of Mexico’s modern architectural journey, it underscores a fundamental truth: the country’s built environment is a testament to diversity, creativity and resilience. These homes reveal how architecture can mediate contrasts between tradition and modernity, between the intimate and the expansive. The richness of their designs speaks to a larger narrative of constant reinvention and adaptation.

As viewers navigate this vivid exploration of Mexican homes, they are invited to reconsider the broader role of architecture. In these pages, buildings are not static objects but evolving responses to their environments and the people who inhabit them. The book leaves us with a question: how does architecture continue to reflect and reshape the identity of a country as multifaceted as Mexico?