Located in Jiutepec, Mexico amongst a vast terrain that previously homed Fichus trees, Casa La Semilla by architects T3Arc was designed around the idea of creating a house that would not impact on its natural surroundings. As a result, the previous tenants, the Fichus trees, have been utilized to their maximum advantage, making it difficult to determine the boundaries between inside and out. Constructed predominantly from concrete, the house covers 200sqm and is underpinned by three central columns and a single concrete beam that completely crosses them as an inverted pendulum. The surrounding trees are used to shelter the south sun (Jiutepec is a very hot area of the state of Morelos, Mexico) whilst simultaneously allowing a the space to maintain a completely open façade to them. With only a master bedroom and small room for a child, the rest of Casa La Semilla is open, allowing its inhabitants to live as close to possible to nature, amidst beautiful views of its lush landscape.

Story by Louisa Penney