- Interior
- Architecture & development
Casa Emma, located in the historic heart of Morelia, Mexico, is a project in which HW Studio brings together architecture and light to create an experience that transcends the everyday. This house is not a standard design, but a poetic space that invites visitors to contemplation and inner peace. The inspiration for Casa Emma came a few years ago when the architects visited the Paula Rego Museum in Portugal, a building designed by renowned architect Eduardo Souto de Moura. Here, under one of the pyramid-shaped rooms, they were struck by the light that fell softly in through a high skylight. The warm, golden light, which filled the room like a soft veil, evoked feelings of serenity and connection. This experience stayed with the architects and became the basis for the vision behind Casa Emma.
In this project, the architects not only wanted to emulate the serenity of the museum, but also to create a sensory journey that touches the soul. Casa Emma is like a sculpture, carved like an excavation, inspired by a Purépecha granary called Troy, a structure that Emma, the namesake of the house, had a deep affection for. This choice symbolizes a return to origins and is an ode to Mexican tradition. By executing the interior entirely in wood, the architects created a warm and intimate atmosphere reminiscent of these historic granaries, with a tangible simplicity and respect for the past. 
The plot on which Casa Emma is located is small, only 4 by 10 meters. This limited size required a thoughtful and efficient approach to space and light. In order to illuminate and ventilate the spaces naturally, HW Studio used a zenithal lighting solution: an open ceiling that functions as a window to the sky. This opening not only lets light flood in, but also allows air circulation, keeping the interior fresh and vibrant. The entrance to the house begins with a hallway that provides access to the main living areas – living room, dining room and kitchen – which flow seamlessly into each other without walls or partitions, enhancing the sense of space. At the rear, functional elements such as the refrigerator and pantry are hidden, and a staircase leads the occupant to the upper floor.
By executing the interior entirely in wood, the architects created a warm and intimate atmosphere reminiscent of these historic granaries
A unique aspect of Casa Emma is the floating volume of the bedroom and bathroom, executed in a sleek white material that contrasts with the wooden interior. This light element seems almost weightless in the space, like a piece of cotton floating gently in the air. As light reflects off the smooth white surfaces, the volume seems to be swallowed up by its surroundings, creating a serene and poetic atmosphere. This contrast between the warm wood and the fragile white volume enhances the mystique of the house and makes it a unique, timeless experience. HW Studio sees light not just as a functional element, but as a crucial part of the architectural experience. Casa Emma invites visitors to feel the play of light and shadow in an almost tangible way, an experience that triggers emotions and encourages self-reflection. The architects wanted the house to be a space where light functions as a silent guide, a carrier of emotions and tranquility. Casa Emma is thus a tribute to Emma herself, a place where she is always present, enveloped in the softness of light and space, as an invitation to visitors to pause for a moment and contemplate the beauty of simplicity and serenity. 
The house embodies the soul of HW Studio: a place where light, space and emotion merge into a unique architectural experience. Casa Emma is not just a home; it is a sanctuary of light and silence, a place that invites the visitor to find themselves, surrounded by peace and timeless beauty.
Photography by César Béjar
Text by Celien Hemelaer