Casa Quijote is a renovation and reinterpretation of one of the residences designed by Engineer Boris Albin in Tecamachalco. Between 1962 and 1981, Albin completed approximately 41 works in the area, defining the modern and international architectural style in Mexico through simple, functionalist design.
Drawing from this heritage, the project is built upon two core pillars: a constant dialogue with the current inhabitants and a deep engagement with Albin’s philosophy of habitability. The close relationship between Estudio Mero and the resident family provided invaluable insight during the design process, revealing a shared vision with the original project: a pursuit of spatial simplicity, functionality, and openness.
Casa Quijote expresses its simplicity through the versatile application of wood across floors, walls, and ceilings. This material establishes a dialogue with a palette of grey tones that amplify light and space, while simultaneously nodding to the original architecture—specifically the striated concrete of the façade.
Consequently, wood creates a cohesive language that facilitates flexibility throughout the project. It becomes a crucial element in achieving spatial adaptability; through sliding walls, communal areas can be expanded or partitioned, allowing the project to evolve alongside the family’s changing dynamics.
The program is distributed across two levels. The ground floor houses the living rooms (which can be adjusted in size), the dining area, a front terrace, and a rear terrace connected to the kitchen, breakfast nook, powder room, and service areas that sustain the home’s vitality. The upper floor features a more intimate family room and the master bedroom, complete with a walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom. Natural light flows through Casa Quijote from east to west; thanks to the glass façades bordering both terraces and the master suite, the interiors remain bathed in light throughout the day.