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Casa Dragones
Casa Dragones
Merida, Mexico
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Other Projects by V Taller
Casa Dragones
Merida, Mexico
Casa Dragones pays tribute to Yucatecan architecture through a contemporary reinterpretation that honors the morphological and spatial memory of the territory, expressed through local materials and traditional construction systems. The residence is conceived as a dynamic environment, where the boundary between interior and exterior dissolves through patios and thresholds that modulate light, shadow, and natural ventilation.
The project is anchored by a reinforced concrete plinth that acts as a solid base, rooting the house within its context. This stone-like mass does not remain static; it fragments and opens into a sequence of arches that establish rhythm and spatial continuity, creating a fluid transition between inside and outside. This gesture evokes regional building traditions, operating as a system of thresholds between intimate and collective spaces, between shelter and landscape.
The patios fulfill a dual role. On one hand, they strengthen the connection between inhabitants and nature, extending the spatial experience and fostering a direct relationship with the surrounding environment. From this plinth emerge orthogonal volumes that contrast with the organic, permeable, and walkable character of the base. The upper level is conceived as a sequence of private spaces that safeguard intimacy. On the other hand, the patios recall the lineage of Mexican architecture, reinforcing their role as articulating elements of domestic life and as carriers of collective memory.
At the heart of the composition, a reflecting pool emerges as a symbol of the subsoil—a link to the site’s deeper strata. Its surface fragments light and multiplies the perception of the surroundings, recalling water as an essential presence in both everyday life and the region’s history. It establishes a symbolic anchor to place, becoming a silent witness to time and the transformation of inhabited space.
The interior is organized around the patios, encouraging a fluid sequence in which each space transcends function to become a sensory experience. The continuity between walls and openings intensifies the relationship with the outdoors, while cross ventilation—enabled by the arrangement of volumes and materials—optimizes thermal comfort without reliance on mechanical systems, responding naturally to Mérida’s warm climate.
Materiality emerges from a careful reading of site and climate. The exposed concrete plinth, marked by visible formwork, reinforces the notion of grounding. Chukum, applied to the upper walls, regulates interior temperatures and protects surfaces from natural wear, reducing humidity and contributing to thermal stability. These finishes are complemented by other local materials, such as limestone and wood, creating a warm atmosphere that reinforces both the project’s identity and its connection to place.
Light and material interact as central components of the spatial experience. Throughout the day, shadows cast by arches and vegetation trace shifting patterns across the Chukum surfaces and limestone floors, giving the spaces an atmosphere in constant transformation.
Vegetation plays a fundamental role in the project—not merely as a visual element, but as an integral part of inhabitation. Native species such as Chaka and Jabín, deeply rooted in Mayan culture and regional history, have been preserved and integrated into the architecture, generating cool, shaded areas that help regulate the microclimate within the patios. In certain moments, tree trunks pass through walls and roofs, revealing the seamless integration between context and architecture. Broad-leafed plants and dense foliage form a continuous green layer that connects interior spaces with the exterior, further blurring their boundaries. At ground level, a mix of grasses and low vegetation accompanies the limestone pathways, guiding movement and reinforcing a tactile relationship with the terrain.
More than a closed composition, Casa Dragones stands as a point of convergence between historical legacy and the contemporary reinterpretation of vernacular architecture. It does not seek to replicate the past, but to translate it into a living architectural language. Within this balance between memory and transformation, the house sustains an ongoing dialogue with time and its inhabitants. Its architecture does not impose; instead, it encourages a flexible appropriation of space, weaving nature and daily life into a framework that remains in continuous evolution—ensuring relevance, adaptability, and a deep connection to its context without losing its essence.
The project is anchored by a reinforced concrete plinth that acts as a solid base, rooting the house within its context. This stone-like mass does not remain static; it fragments and opens into a sequence of arches that establish rhythm and spatial continuity, creating a fluid transition between inside and outside. This gesture evokes regional building traditions, operating as a system of thresholds between intimate and collective spaces, between shelter and landscape.
The patios fulfill a dual role. On one hand, they strengthen the connection between inhabitants and nature, extending the spatial experience and fostering a direct relationship with the surrounding environment. From this plinth emerge orthogonal volumes that contrast with the organic, permeable, and walkable character of the base. The upper level is conceived as a sequence of private spaces that safeguard intimacy. On the other hand, the patios recall the lineage of Mexican architecture, reinforcing their role as articulating elements of domestic life and as carriers of collective memory.
At the heart of the composition, a reflecting pool emerges as a symbol of the subsoil—a link to the site’s deeper strata. Its surface fragments light and multiplies the perception of the surroundings, recalling water as an essential presence in both everyday life and the region’s history. It establishes a symbolic anchor to place, becoming a silent witness to time and the transformation of inhabited space.
The interior is organized around the patios, encouraging a fluid sequence in which each space transcends function to become a sensory experience. The continuity between walls and openings intensifies the relationship with the outdoors, while cross ventilation—enabled by the arrangement of volumes and materials—optimizes thermal comfort without reliance on mechanical systems, responding naturally to Mérida’s warm climate.
Materiality emerges from a careful reading of site and climate. The exposed concrete plinth, marked by visible formwork, reinforces the notion of grounding. Chukum, applied to the upper walls, regulates interior temperatures and protects surfaces from natural wear, reducing humidity and contributing to thermal stability. These finishes are complemented by other local materials, such as limestone and wood, creating a warm atmosphere that reinforces both the project’s identity and its connection to place.
Light and material interact as central components of the spatial experience. Throughout the day, shadows cast by arches and vegetation trace shifting patterns across the Chukum surfaces and limestone floors, giving the spaces an atmosphere in constant transformation.
Vegetation plays a fundamental role in the project—not merely as a visual element, but as an integral part of inhabitation. Native species such as Chaka and Jabín, deeply rooted in Mayan culture and regional history, have been preserved and integrated into the architecture, generating cool, shaded areas that help regulate the microclimate within the patios. In certain moments, tree trunks pass through walls and roofs, revealing the seamless integration between context and architecture. Broad-leafed plants and dense foliage form a continuous green layer that connects interior spaces with the exterior, further blurring their boundaries. At ground level, a mix of grasses and low vegetation accompanies the limestone pathways, guiding movement and reinforcing a tactile relationship with the terrain.
More than a closed composition, Casa Dragones stands as a point of convergence between historical legacy and the contemporary reinterpretation of vernacular architecture. It does not seek to replicate the past, but to translate it into a living architectural language. Within this balance between memory and transformation, the house sustains an ongoing dialogue with time and its inhabitants. Its architecture does not impose; instead, it encourages a flexible appropriation of space, weaving nature and daily life into a framework that remains in continuous evolution—ensuring relevance, adaptability, and a deep connection to its context without losing its essence.
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