Rain Harvest Home in Temascaltepec

Robert Hutchison Architecture JSa

Typologies Housing House
Material Wood
Date 2020
City Temascaltepec
Country Mexico
Photographer César Béjar Jaime Navarro Rafael Gamo Laia Rius Solá

Three structures clad in burnt wood are connected by pathways in a mountainous landscape: the actual house (1,200 square meters), a bathhouse with perimetral spaces that include a hot bath, a sauna, and a steam shower, surrounded by a swimming pool (172 square meters); and an art studio (206 square meters).

Two-thirds of the main house is a wraparound porch protected by a roof held up by columns. A raised foundation of concrete and volcanic stone forms a platform for interiors and exteriors alike.

In a climate of extremely dry winters and humid summers, solar panels and a system for gathering, treating, and storing rainwater and gray water help, even making the premises independent of the municipal grid.