Mario Cardenas - Architecture Portfolio

SITE ANALYSIS
Located in Carretera Nacional, Magnolia House is a single family residence planned
to host 5 members. The project seeks to bring a sense of privacy allowing the family
to socialize within its own private environment.
Greatest Sun exposure from South (recommended
using horizontal louvers or elements to
mitigate the exposure)
Direction from which the building receives more
punishment during afternoon (recommended to
use vertical louvers to mitigate sun exposure)
W
CONCEPT
S
Summer wind torrent coming
from Huajuco canyon (SE)
Priv. Las Magnolias
N
Sunlight from this direction is considered
the best, since it doesn’t warm up the
areas given the indirect exposure.
E
Winter wind torrent (N)
Image taken from Google Earth
The theme of the house was to recreate the work of the famous architect Frank Lloyd
Wright in an even more modern day environment. Taking two of his most iconic projects
-Robbie House and Jacob’s House- as a reference the design guideline started
taking shape setting the design rules for the project. Concepts such as privacy,
nature inclusion, horizontality were key factors during the design phase of the house.
The house is divided into three volumes arranged into an “L” composition to take
full advantage of the plot where it’s located. The horizontal volumes host social and
private areas in their respective levels and the vertical anchor of the project host the
entrance and stairs.
The project seeks to create its own
atmosphere by making a central
space that serves every area in the
house, it becomes an element that
the visual image.
The first level of the house became the public
area, for the sole reason to take advantage of
the composition of the project, having public
areas surrounding an open space makes it
feasible for the whole project to erase the
physical boundaries of interior-exterior program.
Since the project lacks elements of relevance in
the proximity, a connection with other elements
was required, so that the house feels in contact
with its surroundings, such elements were the
mountains, and for it to work, another level was
added to have a clear view.
Given how the program was arranged, the second
level took a private turn, hosting areas that of intimacy
for the residents.
Public and semi-public program is stuck on the first floor while private areas such as
rooms are located in the upper level to give privacy to the family.
Terrace
To create a more permeable environment,
terraces were added to the project, allowing
the resident to enjoy the project form different
perspectives, and establish and indirect
connection with other spaces without sacrificing
privacy.
To create a visual contrast in the building, another
volume of different character was needed,
this would serve as the anchor of the project,
form which all spaces are born and relate.
The house seeks a strong connection with nature,
thats why it doesn’t matter where you look, you
will always find green, as the last gesture, a green
“necklace” surrounds the house, serving as a gentle
welcome to the house.