- Interior
- Architecture & development
In Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, just outside Guadalajara, lies Casa Cortijo, a family home that positions itself at the intersection of tradition and modernity. The region is known for its mild climate, as the birthplace of tequila, and for its rich architectural culture. Within this context, the house offers a contemporary response to historical references, translated into a compact yet monumental residence for a family of four.
The project forms part of a residential development named El Cortijo, a reference to the estates of southern Spain that found their way to Mexico during the colonial period. These haciendas were not only agricultural centres but also inspired architects such as Luis Barragán, Pritzker Prize laureate and a key figure in Mexican architecture. The current design draws upon that legacy while at the same time exploring how such historical elements can be given a place within the daily life of a contemporary family. 
The brief for the architect was clear: to create a private home that also offers space for open social interaction. This resulted in a strong volumetry, characterised by smooth, high walls that will in time be overgrown with vegetation. Strategically positioned openings bring light inside and frame views of the surroundings. Access to the house is through a gate that recalls the traditional zaguanes, or vestibules, of haciendas and colonial homes. Whereas this type of passage is often absent in modern designs, here it once again functions as a transitional space between the public exterior and the private realm of the family. 
Here, the traditional zaguanes function as a transitional space between the public exterior and the private realm of the family.
Once inside, the house unfolds along a route that follows the natural slope of the terrain. The austere façades give way to an open core: a generous space in which kitchen, dining room and living room converge. Large windows connect this heart of the home with the garden behind, allowing outdoor life to flow seamlessly indoors. The choice of materials is deliberately restrained, with walnut wood and pigmented masonry radiating warmth and simplicity. In this way, the atmosphere is defined by social togetherness rather than by ornament or excess. 
On the upper floor are the bedrooms and the more intimate functions of the home. Here, calm and privacy prevail, in contrast to the openness of the ground floor. In this balance between collective experience and personal retreat, the family’s vision is realised. Casa Cortijo demonstrates how traditional references, reinterpreted through contemporary architecture, can create a living environment that is rooted in heritage while looking resolutely to the future.
Architecture by @moisessanchezarquitecto (Moisés Sánchez Arquitecto)
Interior design and styling by @ozuestudioarchitecture (OZU Estudio) in collaboration with @moisessanchezarquitecto (Moisés Sánchez Arquitecto)
Visualization by @ozuestudio in collaboration with @fernandosanchez__ (Fernando Sánchez Arquitecto)
Text by Carolien Depamelaere