12/15/2014
Avance Dic ´14
Located in the heart of the traditional Zapotec culture, in the municipality of Santo Domingo, on the Tehuantepec Isthmus, approximately 150 miles from the colonial capital city of Oaxaca, Casa Tehuantepec by Vargas Tejeda Arquitectos was conceived as a retreat for a Zapotec family currently living outside the state who wanted to reestablish a connection with their homeland and be closer to family and friends.
Comprised primarily of a large common area, the first floor features vaulted ceilings, an open air kitchen and a master bedroom which looks out onto a shared courtyard, and also benefits from cooler temperatures and crossed ventilation during the hot summer months. Floor to ceiling glass doors with rustic wooden slat blinds facilitate ease of access during social functions and traditional celebrations, which take place several times a year.
The architectural language of this vacation residence is based on the expressiveness of its constructive elements, which follows the simplicity of the style of Southeast Mexico. The exterior of the house is dressed with thin lines of dense cumaru wood (brazilian teak), which has excellent durability and weathering properties, adding an extra layer of insulation to the main structure, providing additional protection from the high temperatures of the region, as well as a measure of security during the off season.
