The designers at Mexican studio Direccion had "monastic sanctuary" in mind when revamping this weekend retreat in Valle de Bravo.
The two-storey Casa Tres Árboles is designed to celebrate light and shadow contrasts, natural materials and calming colour tones.
The double-height entrance hall features a floor of wood and black microcement
"The goal of this project was to create a space in natural and warm tones, to convey a sense of refuge and retreat, of monastic sanctuary," said designer Mariana Morales, founder of Direccion.
Casa Tres Árboles was first built 25 years ago in the popular lakeside location, which is located two hours drive west of Mexico City, but the original design had become outdated.
Pre-existing walls were removed to create a more open-plan living space "The client's directive was to give the house a refreshed style, with updated finishes to accommodate more frequent visits, while maintaining the weekend getaway feel of the place," said Morales.
The renovation centred around opening up the interior, creating a more natural flow of light and movement through the different living spaces.
Located below street level, the house's entrance is a pivoting door
This was achieved by not only removing walls, but also by adjusting the split-level floor so that the social spaces feel more connected.
Key to the design was the entrance sequence. From the street, a staircase descends, leading around a tree and into a small sunken court...