Seignosse is located in the southwest of France, on the Côte d’Argent, a region known for its landscapes, its mild climate and the richness of its terroir. The project must be considered on this small-scale level as well as in terms of its broader history and its geography.

The Landes region has long been a sparsely populated area because it was hostile to humans. Until the 18th century it was a vast, inaccessible swamp, where local shepherds moved on stilts both to keep their feet out of the water and to watch their herd from afar. It is called the flat country because of the near-lack of topographical features, a characteristic explained by its geology.

The ground is formed by a shallow limestone plateau covered by sediment. The rock layer is impermeable, so rainwater flows very slowly to the ocean, forming these wetlands as a result. To overcome this, during the Age of Enlightenment the French state decided to manage the territory by planting suitable trees, initially cork oaks for use in the corking industry. This tree, which has a strong presence in the region, is of particular interest to us for the project.

A larger-scale program of land management was later embarked on through the planting of maritime pines and the establishment of the “dune cordon” all along the Atlantic coast in order to protect the forest from the ocean. It is the largest pine forest in Europe, as can be felt it in the perfect alignment of trees in this continuous man-made landscape.

This situation has developed some examples of vernacular architecture: half-timbered houses with pronounced eaves and a masonry plinth that responds to the climate of the region. Also, the huts of the gemmeurs, the people in charge of collecting resin from the pines, whose homes were made of large pine boards covered with resin to protect them.

We drew clear ideas from this analysis that formed the basis of our reflection and the design of the project.

The first step is to climb up to protect yourself from the water and to see further: think of a project on stilts.

From the positioning of the pines we retain a grid pattern, a consistency of design that allows the project to be punctuated in plan as well as in section, by the repetition of vertical elements reminiscent of the slenderness of the pine trunks.

We understand the characteristics of the climate by sheltering the façades with overhanging roofs, because there’s necessary to protect from both the rain and the sun that come and go with the wind. Build simple constructions, in harmony with the landscape.

We understand the entire site as part of a whole, a holistic vision of architecture which is entirely the result of its situation.

Starting with the landscape

We think of this project as an inhabited garden, a fusion between nature and architecture, which breaks down the boundaries between interior and exterior. A plot that can be used in its entirety, living according to the light and the seasons. Build a smart home that is easy to activate and requires little maintenance. A place that challenges preconceived ideas. We analyzed the plot under four sequences, each corresponding to a purpose: to use, to live, to enjoy, to watch.

The program is very clear, and defines a number of volumes that have special relationships between each other. The treatment of the landscape must unify the whole.

Construction then began to take shape: the independent guest house, the garage with its carport, the main house and its covered terraces, the swimming pool with its summer kitchen and finally the studio to the rear of the garden. They are judiciously distributed across the site according to their uses and orientation. Everything is connected by raised terraces, either covered or open air.

The Local Urban Plan imposes a built-up area of 30%, a setback from the street and neighbors, maximum heights, and raising the floor level by 30cm compared to the natural terrain. We have integrated these constraints into the project as assets in order to make it more discreet and to limit the inconveniences of the street as well as of the neighboring buildings.

The rectilinear hedge along the façade is maintained as a cultural relic: behind it grows a lush garden, made up of local species such as maritime pine and umbrella pine, holm oak and cork oak, broom and gorse, species that require little maintenance and consume little water. It is about creating a specific universe that evolves throughout the year, with large ferns that give it a tropical appearance while respecting endemic species. A nurturing landscape with several areas dedicated to the vegetable garden.

All the existing trees are preserved, while new ones are planted between the constructions, such as deciduous trees close to the façades in order to protect them in summer and let through light in winter. Much of the project is based on reversible screw foundations. This allows for a minimum impact on the ground and does not damage the roots by creating a refuge underneath for the local fauna. With the idea of a biophilic design, the project is committed to having a low impact on the site.

The project

While designing the project, we focused on the resources already present on site as well as the possibility of using materials from the demolition of the existing house.

Several elements stand out, such as the tiled roof which once came down can be used as coating for the access, a red tone that contrasts with the vegetation and allows vehicles to move around as if playing pétanque.

Part of the masonry can be reused after crushing as concrete rubble needed for the main house. The glazing can be sent to a recycling center to be repurposed as insulation material like that currently used under the slab of the house. The rest of the materials would be donated to recycling associations we regularly work with.

The construction system and the materials used provide the basis for understanding the project. All the building façades are clad in cork, a locally sourced, rot-proof material. The roof line of all the volumes forms a single slope. The corrugated sheet steel roofs evoke the image of surf huts and reflect the surrounding landscape. Rainwater is collected in cisterns in order to water the garden and can potentially be reused for the toilets and washing machine.

The family house is composed of three walls made of low-carbon recycled concrete, and is insulated from the outside with a thick layer of wood fiber. Its southern facade is completely glazed, protected by large eaves which are supported by pre-grayed wooden posts to guarantee stability over time. The annexes are all in wooden framework, raised above the ground with the screw piles. Thanks to the repetition of the elements, much of it can be prefabricated, including the guest house which can be ready for use before the rest.

In order to meet passive house criteria, we have organized all the constructions into rectangular and compact plans. The certification is based only on the main house, which meets all the demands and the PHPP calculation: less than 15 kWh/m2/year, extremely well-insulated, airtight, with a very good double-flow ventilation system and generous, yet controlled solar gain.

We have enhanced comfort in summer thanks to cross-sections that promote natural ventilation, the thermal inertia of the concrete walls and floors which retain coolness, and the implementation of elegant exterior blackout systems on all exposed windows.

We intend this project to be sober and discreet, to be an intelligent, minimalist architecture, both simple and contemporary, where beauty resides as much in the volumes as in the details.

 

IUA Ignacio Urquiza Arquitectos in collaboration with a6a y APDA Ana Paula de Alba

Seignosse, France, 2021

306 sqm

Passive HouseSeignosse, France, 2021In collaboration with A6A & APDA
PILARES 02 Álvaro ObregónMexico City, 2020In collaboration with WORKac (Amale Andraos & Dan Wood)
GuaymasRoma Norte, Mexico City, 2020In progress

Under deciduous trees on the cliffs of the Pacific Coast, a cluster of architectural volumes emerges, nestling in the topography as if they were sculpted from the stone of the cliff, aspiring to go unnoticed, to alter as little as possible, and to offer a vision of something that has always been there.

Nature and architecture come into tune with each other by prioritizing the former, while making the latter excel at what it does best when it is thoughtfully handled, adapting to the site’s particularities and enhancing the perception of the pre-existing space.

This project is located on the coast of Oaxaca, one of Mexico’s richest states in terms of culture and tradition. The design introduced traditional elements not as “craft objects” but as architectural elements based on their function and practical use.

he master plan for the reserve identified a particularly attractive site, with lush and changing vegetation in an area boasting a rugged and unique topography. This situation ensures that each element of the project becomes an independent unit emerging from the reserve.

The reserve is car-free and circulation around the complex will use the same paths employed during the construction process. The design strategy prioritizes respect for the existing site and achieving the minimum environmental impact.

The aim of creating outstanding architecture that aspires to go unnoticed produces an ambiguous relationship between the natural and the man-made elements, within a continuous panorama of unspoilt natural spaces.

A thoughtful selection of simple yet honest materials enhance the beauty of the natural environment, and help to blend the architecture into its surroundings, while achieving the most with the least.

Reserva El Torón – Villas is a low-impact development, with a footprint of just 17%, and an average of 1,750 m2 of construction per hectare, assigning respect for nature a primordial value in the project development. It includes a further 6,400 m2—representing 23% of the site—of minimum intervention exterior areas, for the admiration and enjoyment of users, while the rest of the site remains as untouched and unspoilt as possible, fostering a sincere and honest approach to the natural environment.

The project consists of 7 modular pieces in a sort of puzzle-like arrangement, which form 4 principal types of villas, allowing several variations and adaptations. With endless combinations, they adjust and respond in a unique way to the site and its particularities, making every villa one of a kind.

 

Ventanilla, Mazunte, Oaxaca, 2019

4,460 m2

Plan Reserva El Torón EIIVentanilla, Mazunte, Oaxaca, 2019In progress

La arquitectura de Nicaragua refleja las complejas relaciones de su realidad histórica, con toda la herencia multicultural del pasado y la riqueza de su entorno natural presente.

La riqueza natural de Guacalito de la Isla es la base de la propuesta, la cual debe contemplar el mayor aprovechamiento de las vistas, vegetación nativa y recursos del emplazamiento, integrándose sutilmente al contexto. La propuesta arquitectónica busca expandir esta relación al propio modo de vivir los espacios. El volumen se adapta al entorno natural a partir de los materiales, que aportan ligereza y frescura, haciendo que la luz y el aire sean los protagonistas de los espacios.

El terreno tiene una topografía particular, donde la parte media del terreno tiene la mayor elevación. Entre la zona alta del terreno y el nivel medio de la vialidad hay una diferencia de aproximadamente 7 m, por ello por medio de taludes y diseño de paisaje se buscará matizar esta diferencia de niveles.

La planta baja se desplanta en el nivel 116.50, uno de los punto más elevando del terreno, con el fin de aprovechar por completo las vistas hacia el mar y el entorno circundante. Con este desplante elevado, el basamento de la casa sirve al mismo tiempo de estructura portante y sótano con programa. En este nivel se ubican las áreas de servicio como bodegas, cuartos de servicio, área de lavado, cuarto de máquinas y el garage cerrado.

La conexión de esta zona con el nivel de planta baja se logra por medio de una gran escalinata, un montacargas y una escalera en el área de servicios.

Retomando los esquemas tradicionales de las casas coloniales de Nicaragua, la casa se articula en torno a un gran patio central que integra el programa de necesidades de los usuarios y lo divide en módulos semi-independientes que se unen por medio de dos grandes andadores perimetrales hacia el exterior y el centro de la casa. Los espacios se van acomodando según la vocación más pública o privada del programa, generando entre ellos diferentes áreas exteriores cubiertas que provocan la vivencia de la casa siempre hacia el la naturaleza del entorno. En la zona sur poniente se encuentran los espacios más públicos de la casa: En el acceso un área de guardado con un medio baño y el montacargas, family room, cocina con alacena, desde la cual hay conexión con un área de asador-desayunador exterior, escalera de servicio a sótano o cubierta, comedor, sala de estar, terraza cubierta con comedor, sala y zona de hamacas, la cual se conecta con la gran terraza exterior y la alberca, y une también el patio interior con el exterior.

El programa más privado contempla las habitaciones, las cuales tienen 3 tipologías: 3 recámaras ubicadas hacia el norte con baño completo, 1 suite con vestidor, baño y jardín interior, así como una terraza orientada hacia el sur-oriente y la suite principal, con vestidor baño y jardín interior. En este nivel también se ubica un estudio de música, el cual tiene un desnivel de 1.30 m hacia el jardín exterior con el objetivo de lograr privacidad y un ambiente diferenciado del resto de la casa.

En el segundo nivel se ubica una segunda suite principal con la misma distribución que la suite inferior y con grandes vistas hacia el entorno.

Todos los espacios contemplan el uso de cancelerías diseñadas con maderas de la región y buscando el refugio y confort necesarios además de la versatilidad de cerrar y abrir los espacios en su totalidad hacia el exterior y hacia el patio central.

Por medio de materiales naturales, se buscan ambientes neutros, sutiles y elegantes, donde el protagonista sea la vegetación existente y la riqueza natural del entorno.

Casa La MadroñaGuacalito de La Isla, Nicaragua, 2019En proceso
CárpatosColonia Lomas de Chapultepec, Ciudad de México, 2016In progress
Plan Reserva El TorónMazunte, Oaxaca, 2014In progress

Several organizations helped communities affected by Mexico’s September 2017 earthquakes, such as Ocuilan in the State of Mexico. We participated in one of the reconstruction initiatives organized by Pienza Sostenible, to provide a new home for Ángela an Juan’s family.

The family plot has a central patio around which different public and private constructions have been developed, responding to the needs of its inhabitants. Four families live on the site, which includes some communal spaces such as the bathroom, the kitchen, the laundry area and the central courtyard. Ángela, Juan and their children were spread out in three separate rooms, a situation that affected the family dynamics. The proposal was for a private and compact space with bedrooms that could be adapted to their needs and stages of life, including the future growth of a fourth module. Likewise, an adjacent service tower contemplates a shared bathroom and shower for all the families that live on the site. The new construction links to the existing complex via an open, plant-filled courtyard, establishing a new, central space where the nuclear family can relax and also be in contact with their wider community.

 

Ocuilan de Arteaga, Estado de México, 2018

60 sqm

Casa de Ángela y JuanOcuilan de Arteaga, Estado de México, 2018Built
Torre PedregalPedregal, Mexico City, 2015Conceptual
Infonavit Vivienda Unifamiliar Regional, PueblaPuebla, Puebla, 2014Conceptual
Pabellón El Eco 2013San Rafael, Mexico City, 2013Conceptual
Torre de tierraDolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, 2010Built

This house was built on the roof of a mid-twentieth century construction. The new construction uses this situation to its advantage, by supporting its structure on the original, thus converting it into a foundation. As a result, in some cases, the walls below become pillars above, removing the partitions and permitting ample, diaphanous rooms thanks to the large concrete slab covering the space.

The new house preserves the same distribution governed by the corridor, with the rooms ranged along one side. The interior wall accompanying this passage becomes a calibrated division, and along its entire length a bespoke piece of furniture adapts to the requirements of each space.

Running parallel to this interior corridor, on the other side of the rooms, an exterior walkway creates a route along the length of the house via a terrace open to the garden, while the slender window frames blur the relationship between inside and outside spaces. This large, continuous window converts the interior into part of the surrounding urban landscape.

 

San Miguel Chapultepec, Mexico City, 2010

180 sqm

Photographs: Ignacio Urquiza / ESTUDIO URQUIZA Taller de fotografía

RebollarSan Miguel Chapultepec, Mexico City, 2010Built

Located on the Oaxaca coast, this project explores the vernacular and traditional elements of Mexican Pacific architecture and observes the ways in which the elements interact with the habitable space through an indefinite sequence of open areas. The project’s spaces and functional aspects blend into the surrounding landscape thanks to the use of artisanal construction methods such as palapas.

The project consists of a series of eight palapas located on the plot, responding to the orientation and vegetation of the existing wetland. Their varying dimensions in plan and section, as well as their layout, depart from the traditional relationship between interior and exterior spaces, allowing the vegetation and landscape to be part of a symbiotic relationship.

 

Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, 2008

1,500 sqm

Photographs: Ignacio Urquiza / ESTUDIO URQUIZA Taller de Fotografía

 

Casa MacariaPuerto Escondido, Oaxaca, 2008Built