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El Ocojal
El Ocojal
Valle de Bravo, Mexico
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Other Projects by Chain + Siman
El Ocojal
Valle de Bravo, Mexico
Firm
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2024
SIZE
10,000 sqft - 25,000 sqft
El Ocojal is a residential complex of six houses set within the forest of Rancho Avándaro. Its name refers to the predominant vegetation in the area; an ocojal is a type of woodland populated by ocotes, a resinous pine species characteristic of the Valle de Bravo region.
Taking advantage of this distinctive natural context, the project was conceived from the outset with the intention of intervening in the environment as little as possible. On a site of over 7,000 m², the entire development was carried out with the felling of only three trees, strategically positioning the buildings within the clearings between existing trunks. Each 350 m² house is camouflaged among the trees—almost imperceptible from the outside—allowing residents to inhabit the landscape as if living in a treehouse, where birds and squirrels become part of everyday life.
One of the main challenges of the project was managing rainwater during the rainy season, as the site is located within a ravine with natural slopes. Solutions were designed to keep the site almost entirely permeable, avoiding unnecessary cuts and earthworks. In fact, the main access road of the development is made of polymer-stabilized soil, reinforcing the feeling of being in a non-urbanized, pedestrian-oriented environment.
The structural system of the houses is based on isolated footings, minimizing impact on the terrain. The material palette responds to the context through timber slabs with a compression layer, wooden flooring, clay tile roofs, Santo Tomás marble floors, and a chromatic range drawn from the colors of the forest. No suspended ceilings were used in the intermediate floors, allowing for greater ceiling heights and creating a warmer, more honest atmosphere. The lighting design was developed in collaboration with TiME, with a subtle approach inspired by the ambiance of a forest cabin.
The A-frame morphology reinforces this atmosphere, generating double-height spaces and large windows that frame the landscape and establish a strong visual and sensory connection with nature. Careful attention was given to the orientation of each house, favoring passive thermal comfort without the need for complex technological systems.
El Ocojal features two housing typologies. In four of the houses, access is through the social areas, descending toward the bedrooms, while in the other two—located at the higher part of the site—entry occurs through a central vestibule adjacent to the bedrooms, with the social areas located above. This arrangement maximizes the use of the site’s topography, avoiding drastic alterations and providing privileged views from the main living spaces of each house.
Each house was designed for families with two to four children, promoting a lifestyle centered on togetherness and enjoyment of nature. All units include a garage, kitchen, living and dining areas, three bedrooms, service areas, a terrace, and a jacuzzi. The houses do not include private gardens or traditional communal areas, as Rancho Avándaro offers a wide range of amenities such as a golf course, water-ski channel, tennis and paddle courts, equestrian facilities, a gym, and sports areas—resulting in significant savings in space and resources. The development was built over an 18-month period, and the houses sold quickly, responding to a clear demand for vacation homes offering privacy, a close connection to nature, and low maintenance.
In terms of sustainability, the project incorporates passive strategies for thermal control and water conservation, as well as on-site water treatment systems. Additionally, new trees were planted to compensate for the intervention, along with ferns and endemic species that reinforce the site’s wild character.
The overall atmosphere of the development invites rest and a slower pace of life. Once residents arrive, movement is primarily on foot or by bicycle. Daily life at El Ocojal typically includes outdoor activities in the morning, family meals on the terraces, and afternoons spent by the fireplace.
Beyond its commercial success, El Ocojal represents a valuable contribution to the area’s real estate development: a group of houses that do not seek to impose themselves on the landscape, but rather to disappear among the trees, with natural finishes, careful execution, and a living experience deeply connected to its surroundings.
For Chain + Siman, this project represents a synthesis between respect for the landscape and an architecture that, while contemporary, preserves the spirit of traditional country houses. The most rewarding aspect for the practice has been seeing families enjoy the benefits of El Ocojal’s natural context and knowing that it was possible to insert six homes into such a dense forest in a respectful way, through a scheme that can be sustained over time.
Taking advantage of this distinctive natural context, the project was conceived from the outset with the intention of intervening in the environment as little as possible. On a site of over 7,000 m², the entire development was carried out with the felling of only three trees, strategically positioning the buildings within the clearings between existing trunks. Each 350 m² house is camouflaged among the trees—almost imperceptible from the outside—allowing residents to inhabit the landscape as if living in a treehouse, where birds and squirrels become part of everyday life.
One of the main challenges of the project was managing rainwater during the rainy season, as the site is located within a ravine with natural slopes. Solutions were designed to keep the site almost entirely permeable, avoiding unnecessary cuts and earthworks. In fact, the main access road of the development is made of polymer-stabilized soil, reinforcing the feeling of being in a non-urbanized, pedestrian-oriented environment.
The structural system of the houses is based on isolated footings, minimizing impact on the terrain. The material palette responds to the context through timber slabs with a compression layer, wooden flooring, clay tile roofs, Santo Tomás marble floors, and a chromatic range drawn from the colors of the forest. No suspended ceilings were used in the intermediate floors, allowing for greater ceiling heights and creating a warmer, more honest atmosphere. The lighting design was developed in collaboration with TiME, with a subtle approach inspired by the ambiance of a forest cabin.
The A-frame morphology reinforces this atmosphere, generating double-height spaces and large windows that frame the landscape and establish a strong visual and sensory connection with nature. Careful attention was given to the orientation of each house, favoring passive thermal comfort without the need for complex technological systems.
El Ocojal features two housing typologies. In four of the houses, access is through the social areas, descending toward the bedrooms, while in the other two—located at the higher part of the site—entry occurs through a central vestibule adjacent to the bedrooms, with the social areas located above. This arrangement maximizes the use of the site’s topography, avoiding drastic alterations and providing privileged views from the main living spaces of each house.
Each house was designed for families with two to four children, promoting a lifestyle centered on togetherness and enjoyment of nature. All units include a garage, kitchen, living and dining areas, three bedrooms, service areas, a terrace, and a jacuzzi. The houses do not include private gardens or traditional communal areas, as Rancho Avándaro offers a wide range of amenities such as a golf course, water-ski channel, tennis and paddle courts, equestrian facilities, a gym, and sports areas—resulting in significant savings in space and resources. The development was built over an 18-month period, and the houses sold quickly, responding to a clear demand for vacation homes offering privacy, a close connection to nature, and low maintenance.
In terms of sustainability, the project incorporates passive strategies for thermal control and water conservation, as well as on-site water treatment systems. Additionally, new trees were planted to compensate for the intervention, along with ferns and endemic species that reinforce the site’s wild character.
The overall atmosphere of the development invites rest and a slower pace of life. Once residents arrive, movement is primarily on foot or by bicycle. Daily life at El Ocojal typically includes outdoor activities in the morning, family meals on the terraces, and afternoons spent by the fireplace.
Beyond its commercial success, El Ocojal represents a valuable contribution to the area’s real estate development: a group of houses that do not seek to impose themselves on the landscape, but rather to disappear among the trees, with natural finishes, careful execution, and a living experience deeply connected to its surroundings.
For Chain + Siman, this project represents a synthesis between respect for the landscape and an architecture that, while contemporary, preserves the spirit of traditional country houses. The most rewarding aspect for the practice has been seeing families enjoy the benefits of El Ocojal’s natural context and knowing that it was possible to insert six homes into such a dense forest in a respectful way, through a scheme that can be sustained over time.
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