Taking a weekend retreat in Casa Rancho AvÁNdaro

In the environs of Valle de Bravo, Casa Rancho Avándaro is a weekend retreat designed primarily to make the most of its extensive natural surroundings. The house is a commanding presence on the landscape, striking a balance between the well-tended gardens and the imposing stone buildings. The retreat is based on the concept of Mexican haciendas: the solidity and purity of the volumes combines with locally-sourced materials, and patios.

The house extends over a plot of more than 2 700 mq, its position on the landscape part of two conditions: on the one hand, guide the view to the natural environment and the river, on the other, take advantage of the natural light for the bedroom and study, the room and the kitchen, an important place since its owner is a kitchen lover.

The project consists of three main volumes, each one contained by stone walls acting as interconnected partitions. The living and dining room are located in the central structure, a double-height space that connects to a terrace with a jacuzzi to the front, and a central patio to the rear. The wings have the master bedroom (including a studio on a mezzanine floor), kitchen, and other service areas.

As it was important for the retreat to work as an independent home while also offering the possibility of entertaining family members and friends, there’s an annex building that is connected to the main house via a glass bridge across the patio, offering privacy while still clearly belonging to the overall program.

The interior design is developed around the use of lighting, finishes, and the local vegetation. The stonework has been left exposed indoors where it combines with ironwork features, wood of various hues (for the mezzanine level, furniture, and partition walls), and poured concrete (for the kitchen and bathroom flooring).

The use of the stone allows an experience of the space that is linked to the conceptualization of the old Mexican haciendas, in addition to including spaces, such as the characteristic patios. The stone dialogues with wood and high quality special finishes that enrich the experience of aesthetics and luxury.

The project creates a welcoming, comfortable and cozy space that combines classic hacienda-style elements in the exteriors with contemporary interior design, achieving a harmonious combination of luxury, aesthetic appeal, and functionality.

The process was based on an idea and customer needs, and then materialized in an aesthetic and accessible product that provides a unique and sophisticated atmosphere. Thus, a harmony between architecture, interior design, furniture, objects and art is achieved.