Herzog & de Meuron
Project
2011-2013
Realization
2013-2016

The Monterrey House is a single-family residence designed to fit the specific lifestyle of its owners. Situated on the northern slope of the eastern Sierra Madre, approximately 500 meters above the Monterrey Valley with a view towards Cerro de las Mitras, the project is located in an area characterized by suburban villas that adapt to the prevailing topography. The landscape is composed of a diverse mix of pine and holm oak trees interspersed with exposed outcroppings of rock; this terrain and the view to the valley below, combined with the client’s unique vision for their family home, informed the project from the start. A fruitful relationship emerged between architect and owner, enriching the project throughout the entire process.

The need for a clear differentiation between private family spaces and more public social areas was set out by the family from the beginning. Each area caters to distinct needs, scales, and levels of privacy. This concept is visually expressed through the project’s massing: the volumes of the social areas are oriented towards the exterior and stand out prominently from the landscape, while the family areas foster introspection by being more secluded and hidden. These distinct programmatic zones are given specific architectural qualities; the social areas feature cantilevered long-span structures supported by a central spine, while the family area relies on load-bearing walls and enclosed spans to define more intimate and private spaces.

The project’s fundamental structure is defined by volumes arranged perpendicularly to the slope. Overlaying this orthogonal order are horizontal and vertical voids in the massing in the form of courtyards and carved-out volumes, including the pool. The topography influences the overall volumetric composition and the layout of circulation routes, which either cut into or conform to the terrain. This configuration allows for continuity between interior and exterior, allowing the residents to enjoy a seamless indoor-to-outdoor lifestyle.

To leverage local expertise and construction techniques, the project incorporates the use of regional materials handled by local skilled workers alongside traditional building practices.

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Team

Facts

Client
Alejandro Junco de la Vega Elizondo
Planning
Design Consultant: Herzog & de Meuron Basel Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
Executive Architect : Pórtico Architectura y Construcción, Mexico, San Pedro Garza García, Río Pánuco No. 201 esq. Tamazunchale
Building Data
Site Area: 112'934 sqft, 10'492 sqm
Gross floor area (GFA): 16'770 sqft, 1'558 sqm
Net floor area: 14'068 sqft, 1'307 sqm
Outside Facilities: 23'217 sqft, 2'157 sqm
Footprint: 22'604 sqft, 2'100 sqm
Length: 164 ft, 50 m
Width: 118 ft, 36 m
Height: 39 ft, 12 m