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      Xokol restaurant by ODAmx and Rubén Valdez celebrates “collective ritual” of eating

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      Mexican architects ODAmx and Rubén Valdez have designed a restaurant with an ash-coloured interior inside a former mechanic’s workshop in Guadalajara.

      Now located in the Mexican city’s Santa Tere neighbourhood, Xokol began in 2017 within a small space that housed just four tables and room for 16 diners.
      Xokol occupies a former mechanic’s workshop that has been converted into a restaurantIn 2020, the restaurant relocated to this larger building, where the aim was to preserve as much of the intimacy and connection between the diners and chefs as possible.
      “Xokol is a restaurant in which the act of eating becomes a collective ritual,” said ODAmx and Rubén Valdez in a joint statement. “The architecture of the space acts a catalyst for the reinterpretation of Mexican culinary traditions and a communal dining experience in which the boundaries between diners, staff and food preparation are non-existent.”
      The interior is lined with dark grey stucco to create an intimate atmosphere, while corn cobs suspended above add the only colourThe restaurant’s interior has a minimalist, monastic quality thanks to the dark grey stucco covering the walls and ceiling, and the black clay comal ovens on full display in the open kitchen.

      “These muted tones foreground the naturally rich colour palettes of the dishes,” the architects said.
      The 15-metre-long dining table creates a communal setting for guests to share the experienceThe concrete workshop building’s exterior was left largely unchanged, aside from the layers of tall panels of steel added across the garage-door entrance to guide guests inside.
      A 15-metre-long oak table runs the length of the double-height interior, enabling 48 covers to be seated at once and share the experience.
      Traditional comal ovens made from black clay are on full display in the open kitchenSuspended above the table is an industrial pendant light that stretches its entice length, emitting a soft glow over the place settings.
      Over the centre of the dining area, a large skylight is covered by a metal grill from which hundreds of corn cobs hang – providing the only hint of colour in the otherwise monochrome restaurant, besides the dishes served.
      At the back, a grid of shelves hold glass jars for fermenting ingredientsThe kitchen runs alongside the table on the other side of the building, towards the back where a grid of shelves contains jars for fermenting ingredients.
      A staircase winds around a totemic stone sculpture by local artist José Dávila, up to a mezzanine level that overlooks the dining area.

      Ceiling inside Guadalajara’s Veneno restaurant resembles an archeological site

      All of the materials used for the project were sourced locally, and the dining table, pendant light and shelving were fabricated by Guadalajaran artisans.
      “Since its beginnings, Xokol has aimed to conserve and recover the Mazahua culinary traditions and share them with a broader public in a contemporary manner,” said the architects.
      The dark, minimalist interior has a monastic quality”The architectural project acts as an enabler for such goal where every design decision has been thought to achieve it,” they added.
      Xokol is shortlisted in the restaurant and bar interior category of Dezeen Awards 2023, along with a Toronto seafood restaurant by Omar Gandhi Architects, a vaulted brick brewery taproom in Poland by Projekt Praga and three more projects.
      A staircase up to a mezzanine level winds around a totemic sculpture by José DávilaGuadalajara, Mexico’s second-largest city, is a hotbed for architectural talent and has a thriving food scene.
      Other restaurants with impressive interiors in the city include Veneno, designed by Monteon Arquitectos Asociados to resemble an archeological site, and Hueso, which Cadena + Asociados lined with thousands of animal bones.
      The photography is by Rafael Palacios.
      Project credits:
      Architecture: ODAmx and Rubén ValdezCarpenter: Joselo MaderistaArtwork: José Dávila

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      Estudio Estudio unveils “hidden architectural treasures” in Mexico City house

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      Arched doorways and a rooftop studio feature in the Y.27 House, which has been overhauled by architecture firm Estudio Estudio in a way that honours the historic building’s original character.

      Located on a 195-square-metre site in Mexico City’s Hipódromo Condesa neighbourhood, the project serves as a full-time residence for a client who is a social entrepreneur and collector of Mexican craftwork.
      The house been overhauled to honour the historic building’s original characterOriginally built in the 1930s, the stucco-clad dwelling had endured years of neglect, said local firm Estudio Estudio.
      The design team set out to revamp the home’s interior, aiming to restore its original charm while enhancing its functionality.
      Estudio Estudio set out to revamp the home’s interiorThe project involved removing walls, reconfiguring the layout and making structural improvements, in addition to adding new finishes. Moreover, a small storage room on the roof was replaced with a 43-square-metre studio building.

      “The main goal was to unveil the hidden architectural treasures beneath layers of past modifications, meticulously restoring them to their original state to reveal the essence of the time,” the team said.
      In the rear, one finds a kitchen”Architectural interventions aimed to preserve the authentic character of the house, rejuvenating ornamental elements while avoiding unnecessary embellishments.”
      Rectangular in plan, the home has a mix of communal and private spaces spread across three levels. Curves and arches – many of them original – create a “harmonious flow”.
      Curves and arches create a “harmonious flow”On the ground level, the layout “seamlessly integrates daily living requirements”. The front portion holds an entry hall, garage and office, while in the rear, one finds a kitchen, dining area, service rooms and a patio.
      At the heart of the ground floor is an airy living room with a 5.9-metre-high ceiling. A tall shelving system with a metal-and-wood ladder acts as a focal point.
      A tall shelving system acts as a focal point in the airy living roomA gently curved, skylit staircase leads to the first floor, where the team placed a primary bedroom, two bedrooms and a family room.
      Atop the building is the new studio, which was constructed using pine. In addition to the studio, the building contains an onsen room with a barn-style door.
      The building contains an onsen room with a barn-style doorThe studio opens onto a terrace with terracotta flooring. Rainwater is collected on the roof and channelled to a reservoir below.
      “The roof terrace serves as a space to gather but also works as a rainwater collector, where rain travels throughout the house into a water reservoir and filter system beneath the back patio,” the team said.

      Taller David Dana stacks concrete house on Mexico City hillside

      Throughout the home, the team used earthy materials and neutral colours. The lighting design – created in collaboration with lighting expert Luca Salas – is meant to balance “ambiance, functionality and aesthetics”.
      Notable finishes include oak parquet flooring and closets faced with cotton-canvas. Oak was used for window frames, kitchen cabinets and other elements.
      Pisos de pasta flooring features in the kitchenIn the kitchen, the team took a sample of existing checkered tiles, made of pigmented concrete, to a local craftsman, who then replicated them.
      This style of flooring – called pisos de pasta – is very common in older homes in Mexico City and southwest Mexico, said Estudio Estudio.
      The stucco-clad dwelling had endured years of neglectOverall, the house is meant to balance historic elements with a contemporary lifestyle.
      “This house proudly stands as a harmonious blend of past and present, inviting residents to embark on a captivating journey of refined and simple ways of living,” the team said.
      Other projects in Mexico City’s Condesa district include a renovated house by Chloé Mason Gray that embraces its lack of natural light, and an apartment block covered in small, wooden squares that were inspired by vegetable crates.
      The photography is by Zaickz Moz Studio.

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      Productora and Esrawe Studio outfit Mexico hotel with planes of green tile

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      Local architecture studios Productora and Esrawe Studio have outfitted a Mexico hotel with planes of green tile suspended from the lobby ceiling.

      Located on a hilly site in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, the Albor Hotel is part of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection.
      Productora and Esrawe Studio have wrapped a hotel in Mexico with local red stoneCompleted in 2022, the 6,038 square metre project contains a lobby, restaurant, bar, gym, multipurpose room, and a pool area with a grill.
      Productora and Esrawe Studio pulled from the mountainous surroundings for the design.
      The stone is carried into the building’s lobby and lower levels”The hotel emerges naturally from the terrain, framing a beautiful view of the valley,” said the team.

      “The hotel’s stone base is inspired by the mountain’s interior, featuring a textured and colourful appearance.”
      Planes of green tile are suspended from the ceilingA natural red, textured stone was wrapped around the building’s first two levels, which steps up the hill on the site.
      The top three levels contain the hotel’s private rooms and have an exterior clad in a simple white material, which contrasts the base.
      The tile features a graphic pattern by artist Omar BarquetThe lower levels, which contain the lobby, restaurant, bar and garden, run perpendicular to the site’s cobble-stone street, while the upper-floor volume runs parallel.
      Guests enter into the hotel’s spacious lobby, where the same red stone was carried onto the floors, walls and bar elements.
      The hotel contains a multi-leveled terrace and restaurantThe lobby’s double-height space is divided by planes of sea-foam green ceramic tile, which feature a leaf-like pattern by Mexican artist Omar Barquet.
      Crafted by tile manufacturer Latitude, they cover dividing walls, ceiling planes and panels that are suspended from the ceiling.

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      The space is outfitted with wide, blocky wooden tables and chairs by Roberto González. Wood was also used for a large bookshelf that spans the length of the interior lobby.
      A mixture of gray, green and red cushions were used to cover the seating, with the same red tone used to frame a series of sliding glass doors that lead onto the hotel’s sprawling patio.
      A natural red tone was carried throughout the hotel’s lower and upper levelsRectangular volumes cantilever over the back patio, reflecting the same rectangular panels used to divide the lobby.
      The patio sprawls across several levels, with large square planting beds installed with cacti and other local plants by PLANTA Botanical Design.
      The hotel’s private rooms were kept minimalist, with the same wooden furniture echoed in seating areas, cabinetry and a bed frame.
      “The rooms feature a natural colour palette and materials such as mineral clay, local crafts, wooden furniture and natural fabrics, providing a cosy and inviting atmosphere for guests,” said the team. 
      An earthen red tone was also carried into the private bathrooms.
      Productora recently completed a bright blue co-housing complex in Denver, Colorado, while Esrawe Studio renovated an apartment in Mexico City with an oak “skin”.
      The photography is by César Béjar.

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      Mestiz celebrates artisan collaborations at colourful Mexico studio

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      Mexican design studio Mestiz has opened a showroom and workshop within a historic building in San Miguel de Allende, where its brightly hued collaborations with local craftspeople take pride of place.

      The studio space is located on Pasaje Allende in the heart of the central Mexican city, renowned for its colonial-era architecture and arts scene.
      Mestiz opened its new studio as a space to present its colourful furniture and homewareMestiz founder Daniel Valero collaborates with a variety of skilled local artisans to create furniture and homeware using ancestral crafts.
      “In our studio, partnerships aren’t short-lived; they’re built to last,” he said. “We’ve nurtured long-term relationships with artisans, where learning and creating are an ongoing process.”
      Rough plaster walls of the remodelled space provide a neutral backdrop for the brightly hued designsPieces from Mestiz’s collection fill the interior of the studio, which occupies a remodelled stone building designed as a “wild habitat” brimming with personality.

      “It was once a kitchen,” Valero explained, “and now it’s a space that respects the idea of Mexican cuisine, infusing it into our creative sanctuary.”
      Ledges covered in glossy tiles provide places to display smaller items the in the showroomThe studio comprises three principal spaces. In the showroom, the original wooden beams and the brick ceiling are exposed, and rough buttery plaster covers the walls.
      Ledges and podiums clad in glossy tiles provide places for small items like spiky vessels and framed pictures to be displayed.
      In the workshop, red benches are used for assembling the designsLarger furniture pieces like a triangular table and chairs with tufty backrests are arranged across the floor.
      Meanwhile, textile artworks decorate the walls and huge, fibrous pink light fixtures hang overhead.

      Colourful tiles and Mexican craft feature in Casa Hoyos hotel by AG Studio

      “Our creations aren’t just pieces; they’re stories,” said Valero.
      “We believe in crafting designs that engage in profound dialogues with the context and history of each community we work with.”
      A pink-toned storage room is also filled with products, which are all made from natural materialsThe workshop is situated in a lean-to at the side of the building, where the rough stone walls are visible on two sides and other surfaces are left untreated.
      Red-painted benches for assembling items and storing natural materials – palm, wood, wool, wicker and ceramic – are surrounded by partially completed designs.
      Mestiz partners with artisans across Mexico to preserve and celebrate craft traditionsA pink-hued storage room is also packed with products, from wicker lights suspended from the ceiling to tall totems in blue, pink and purple stood in the corners.
      “Our practice is a living testament to the merging of traditions,” Valero said. “Our pieces are the embodiment of cultural syncretism, where diverse influences converge to create something entirely new.”
      The studio is located in a historic stone building in San Miguel de AllendeThe rich creative spirit of San Miguel de Allende is also presented at the city’s Casa Hoyos hotel, where colourful tiles and local craft fill a former Spanish colonial manor.
      Other Mexican designers continuing local traditions through their work include Fernando Laposse, who uses corn waste to create a marquetry material, and Christian Vivanco, who launched a rattan furniture collection with Balsa.
      The photography is by Pepe Molina.

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      Ludwig Godefroy prioritises garden for “timeless” family home in Mexico

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      Mexico-based architect Ludwig Godefroy has completed the renovation of a”simple” house and studio in Mexico for himself and his family that is integrated with an adjacent garden.

      Godefroy and his partner renovated a former residence, focusing on the home’s orientation towards the site’s pre-existing greenspace.
      Ludwig Godefroy has completed a house and studio for himself and his family in Mexico”Casa SanJe is a very simple project,” said Godefroy. “The main idea behind the project was to reconnect the house with its garden, opening large windows everywhere on the ground floor. In and out are always connected in this house.”
      Almost half of the square site is dedicated to the garden, while the other half contains the architect’s residence.
      It is organized around the site’s substantial garden”Casa SanJe was an ordinary Mexican house from the ’80s, without any style, a simple house with tiles on the floor and texturized plaster finishing on the walls,” said Godefroy.

      The architect replaced the former materials with concrete, wood and tezontle – a red volcanic stone – to “calm down the atmosphere of the house”.
      Godefroy renovated a house originally built in the 80sThe ground level of the home contains two entrances protected by iron doors.
      A car park sits adjacent to the building’s first entrance, which is accessed through a patio populated with stone, planting beds and a concrete and brick sculpture.
      The ground floor contains large windows and doors that open directly into the gardenA second entrance is located further into the garden and leads to a vestibule space at the centre of the ground-level plan.
      The interior program circulates around the vestibule, with the kitchen, dining area and living room located opposite the architect’s studio and library.
      It is made of concrete with wood and stone elementsThe kitchen and studio spaces were pushed along the back wall of the house, with slim windows placed periodically among cabinets and shelves.
      On the side opposite, Godefroy installed large doors and windows that open the living room directly into the garden.
      Furniture like a dining table and shelving was also made of concreteMuch of the interior furniture was made of caste concrete, like the living room sofa, the dining table, side tables, kitchen shelving and an island. And some are built directly into the floor.
      Godefroy’s studio also contains concrete shelving and a concrete desk that runs along the wall.
      A wall clad in volcanic stone rungs along the back of the houseIn the same space, a wall was clad in warm wood panels, while a vaulted ceiling sits above the architect’s desk. A chimney sits adjacent.
      Like some of Godefroy’s previous projects, geometric openings were cut into interior walls.

      Ludwig Godefroy creates “habitable gardens” using massive skylights in Mexico

      An exposed wall made of red volcanic stone runs along the back wall of the house.
      Located between the kitchen and living room, a wooden staircase leads to the second floor, which contains bedrooms and a primary bath.
      The architect’s studio opens onto the entrance patioThe primary bath contains a sunken, circular cutout in the floor, with multiple shower heads for bathing.
      In one corner, a spigot drops water onto a stepped feature.
      An upstairs bathroom features a circular, sunken floorConcrete was used for the ceiling, walls and floor.
      Native plants were placed throughout the house, with a large semi-circle planter made of concrete placed above the house’s entrance.
      “We wanted the space to become timeless, out of any trend or decoration, just made out of simple material, able to get old instead of getting damaged under the action of time,” said the architect.
      Godefroy recently completed a number of projects in and around Mexico City, including a brutalist cube-shaped home and a hotel that recalls the design of an Oaxacan temple.
      The photography is by Edmund Sumner.

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      Sophía Betancur references nearby church for Pizzeria Della Madonna

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      A neighbouring church informed the layout and design of this pizzeria in Mexico City, in which architect Sophía Betancur placed the oven in full view.

      The Pizzeria Della Madonna is located next to the Parroquia de la Sagrada Familia, a church in the city’s Roma Norte neighbourhood built in 1910.
      A halo-like stainless steel frame is one of the many religious references at Pizzeria Della Madonna”The temple reflects a mixture of neo-Romanesque, neo-Gothic, and eclectic styles,” said Betancur, who is based in Mexico City. “The semicircular arches, Corinthian columns and wooden benches arranged throughout the nave are elements reinterpreted in the spatial proposal of the project.”
      Inside the 98-square-metre, L-shaped space, the pizza oven is placed in the crossing — directly visible from the restaurant’s glass doors.
      The distressed plaster walls of the restaurant are reminiscent of an old Italian churchIts sculptural rounded form is framed by a halo-like stainless steel structure suspended from the ceiling, providing a shelf on which hot pizzas can be placed.

      Curved lines following the oven’s shape are traced across the floor, as well as on the ceiling in the form of track lighting that extends through the space.
      The dining area is laid out like a nave, with seating on either side of a central pathwayThroughout the restaurant, distressed plaster walls create the effect of eating in an old Italian church.
      “The rustic finish on the walls reveals multiple layers of paint that reflect almost a century of history of the house, which in the past housed homes and different commercial and retail projects,” the architect said.
      The open kitchen features ceramic and terracotta tilesThe dining space at the front of the restaurant is laid out like a nave, with wooden bench seating and tables on each side and a path up the middle.
      “The concept is complemented by historical, pictorial research and the symbology of the Virgin Mary and Marian architecture in Europe, from which forms, colors, materials and spatial qualities are taken up,” said Betancur.

      Studio Wok designs cavernous pizza restaurant to recall rocky coves of Sardinia

      “In this way, the proposal turns out to be a tribute to Mexican neo-colonial style and Italian religious architecture and iconography.”
      Further seating is located in the perpendicular branch, or transcept, of the “L”, where a mirrored wall at the end makes the space appear larger.
      In a “transcept”, further seating is reflected in a mirrored wallIn the kitchen area, ceramic tiles cover the wall surfaces, while terracotta tiles of a similar size and shape the front of the service counter.
      “The blend of the open kitchen and bar with the dining room translates into a balanced combination of practical and utilitarian materials typical of industrial kitchens and warm materials that provide elegance and comfort,” Betancur said.
      The restaurant is located in Mexico City’s lively Roma Norte neighbourhoodServing one of the world’s most popular foods, pizza restaurants take many forms and styles across the globe, but many feature some reference to its home country.
      In New York, Büro Koray Duman drew on Neopolitan culture for the interiors of Simo, while at Dough Pizza in Perth, Ohlo Studio used materials that evoke the “rustic sophistication” of Italy.
      The photography is by Arturo Arrieta.
      Project credits:
      Architecture: Sofía BetancurDesign team: Cesar Ávila G y Sergio Bau.Engineers: Leonel NavaVisual identity: Faena StudioConstruction: Factor EficienciaWoodwork: Taller Nacional y Solana EstudioLighting: Martín Leal

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      Sofía Betancur references nearby church for Pizzeria Della Madonna

      by

      A neighbouring church informed the layout and design of this pizzeria in Mexico City, in which architect Sofía Betancur placed the oven in full view.

      The Pizzeria Della Madonna is located next to the Parroquia de la Sagrada Familia, a church in the city’s Roma Norte neighbourhood built in 1910.
      A halo-like stainless steel frame is one of the many religious references at Pizzeria Della Madonna”The temple reflects a mixture of neo-Romanesque, neo-Gothic, and eclectic styles,” said Betancur, who is based in Mexico City. “The semicircular arches, Corinthian columns and wooden benches arranged throughout the nave are elements reinterpreted in the spatial proposal of the project.”
      Inside the 98-square-metre, L-shaped space, the pizza oven is placed in the crossing — directly visible from the restaurant’s glass doors.
      The distressed plaster walls of the restaurant are reminiscent of an old Italian churchIts sculptural rounded form is framed by a halo-like stainless steel structure suspended from the ceiling, providing a shelf on which hot pizzas can be placed.

      Curved lines following the oven’s shape are traced across the floor, as well as on the ceiling in the form of track lighting that extends through the space.
      The dining area is laid out like a nave, with seating on either side of a central pathwayThroughout the restaurant, distressed plaster walls create the effect of eating in an old Italian church.
      “The rustic finish on the walls reveals multiple layers of paint that reflect almost a century of history of the house, which in the past housed homes and different commercial and retail projects,” the architect said.
      The open kitchen features ceramic and terracotta tilesThe dining space at the front of the restaurant is laid out like a nave, with wooden bench seating and tables on each side and a path up the middle.
      “The concept is complemented by historical, pictorial research and the symbology of the Virgin Mary and Marian architecture in Europe, from which forms, colors, materials and spatial qualities are taken up,” said Betancur.

      Studio Wok designs cavernous pizza restaurant to recall rocky coves of Sardinia

      “In this way, the proposal turns out to be a tribute to Mexican neo-colonial style and Italian religious architecture and iconography.”
      Further seating is located in the perpendicular branch, or transcept, of the “L”, where a mirrored wall at the end makes the space appear larger.
      In a “transcept”, further seating is reflected in a mirrored wallIn the kitchen area, ceramic tiles cover the wall surfaces, while terracotta tiles of a similar size and shape the front of the service counter.
      “The blend of the open kitchen and bar with the dining room translates into a balanced combination of practical and utilitarian materials typical of industrial kitchens and warm materials that provide elegance and comfort,” Betancur said.
      The restaurant is located in Mexico City’s lively Roma Norte neighbourhoodServing one of the world’s most popular foods, pizza restaurants take many forms and styles across the globe, but many feature some reference to its home country.
      In New York, Büro Koray Duman drew on Neopolitan culture for the interiors of Simo, while at Dough Pizza in Perth, Ohlo Studio used materials that evoke the “rustic sophistication” of Italy.
      The photography is by Arturo Arrieta.
      Project credits:
      Architecture: Sofía BetancurDesign team: Cesar Ávila G y Sergio Bau.Engineers: Leonel NavaVisual identity: Faena StudioConstruction: Factor EficienciaWoodwork: Taller Nacional y Solana EstudioLighting: Martín Leal

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      Eight brutalist Mexican interiors that prove concrete doesn’t have to feel cold

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      Raw concrete surfaces are softened by timber and plenty of daylight inside these Mexican houses, rounded up here as part of our latest lookbook.

      Many of these brutalist interiors leave their concrete shells exposed and their cavernous rooms largely unadorned.
      But freed of the constraints posed by frigid temperatures, they also create a greater connection to the outside, whether overlooking Puerto Escondido’s wave-swept beaches or nestled in the bustling metropolis of Mexico City.
      Here, concrete surfaces help to create a sense of seamlessness between indoor and outdoor spaces – often separated only by removable partitions – while unfinished natural materials, such as wood or stone, are brought into the interior.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring homes with exposed services, primary-coloured living spaces and houses with outdoor showers.

      Photo by Rory GardinerCasa Alférez, Cañada De Alferes, by Ludwig Godefroy
      Tucked away in the forest outside Cañada De Alferes near Mexico City, this brutalist holiday home has a board-formed concrete shell.
      This is left on display throughout its entire interior, all the way down to the bedrooms (top image) and the double-height lounge (above).
      To bring a sense of homeliness to its otherwise spartan living spaces, architect Ludwig Godefroy added warm wooden floors and lush pops of green – as seen across upholstery and lighting fixtures.
      Find out more about Casa Alférez ›
      Photo by Onnis Luque and Fabian MartinezLa Casa del Sapo, Playa Zapotengo, by Espacio 18 Arquitectura
      The kitchen of this seafront home – set right on Oaxaca’s Zapotengo beach – can be merged with its neighbouring patio using a wide wooden folding door.
      All-around concrete helps to underline this fusion, while also serving a practical function in the form of a kitchen island and matching shelves.
      Find out more about La Casa del Sapo ›
      Photo by César BéjarThe Hill in Front of the Glen, Morelia, by HW Studio
      Reminiscent of the Hobbit houses in JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, this sunken home is nestled into a hillside in the forests of Michoacán in central Mexico.
      The building’s interiors are defined by its concrete vaulted ceilings, which can be seen in every room, while log benches and full-height glazing provide a visual link to the woodland outside.
      Find out more about The Hill in Front of the Glen ›
      Photo by Rory GardinerCasa Mérida, Mérida, by Ludwig Godefroy
      Mayan architecture and craftsmanship informed the design of this otherwise brutalist house in Yucatán state, which is considered the capital of the indigenous civilisation.
      The home’s perimeter walls, for example, have joints covered in stone splinters that take cues from the design of Mayan pyramids and temples. These are left exposed on the interior alongside the concrete ceilings, creating a rich medley of architectural references.
      Find out more about Casa Mérida ›
      Photo by Rafael GamoPachuca Apartments, Mexico City, by PPAA
      Concrete slabs pave both the patio and living spaces in this Mexico City house to create a sense of continuity, only separated by a full-height glass wall that can be completely pushed open.
      On the interior, the rough concrete finishes are contrasted with details in American white oak, among them a long dining table as well as a staircase with treads that slot into a huge bookshelf.
      Find out more about Pachuca Apartments ›
      Photo by Dane Alonso and Mariano Renteria GarnicaCasa UC, Morelia, by Daniela Bucio Sistos
      Neutral colours and tactile materials are found throughout this home in the city of Morelia, including raw concrete ceilings and floors finished in a honey-toned tropical timber called caobilla.
      In the library, the same wood was also used to form integrated shelves and a huge porthole window that can be pivoted open and closed like a door.
      Find out more about Casa UC ›
      Photo by Sandra PereznietoCasa Aguacates, Valle de Bravo, by Francisco Pardo
      Mexican architect Francisco Pardo repurposed the pinewood formwork used in the process of constructing this concrete house to form a series of partition walls throughout the home.
      The resulting interior layout is simple and fluid and centres on an open-plan kitchen, dining area and living room that open up onto a sunken garden.
      Find out more about Casa Aguacates ›
      Photo by Rory GardinerZicatela, Puerto Escondido, by Emmanuel Picault and Ludwig Godefroy
      Set in the small surf town of Puerto Escondido, this weekend home accommodates its main living areas inside a covered patio and is made almost entirely of concrete.
      The only exceptions are the doors and sliding louvred wood screens that can be used to open the space up to the gardens on either side, as well as a few sparse furnishings such as the low-slung dining table, which is made from a cross-sectioned tree trunk.
      Find out more about Zicatela ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring homes with exposed services, primary-coloured living spaces and houses with outdoor showers.

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