Casa Xcunya in Mérida

About

Drawing inspiration from the fluid form of a water droplet, Casas Xcunya pursues a harmonic coexistence with nature, in contrast with the accelerated urban expansion of Mérida, the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán. Water is the centerpiece of the project, flowing like a connective axis amid walls and lattices, marking the rhythm of the construction. The house rises on foundations of local rock, raised a meter over ground level; a solution which not only guards against regular floods but also provides natural cross-ventilation. Built with materials of the region and traditional Mayan techniques, Casa Xcunya is an architecture of respect and permanence. The orientation of its spaces was carefully studied: the bedrooms are on the north side, where it is cooler, while the shared areas are arranged to harness light coming from the west. The palapa shelter, with its roof made of palm leaves, acts as a passive climate-control system, efficiently reducing indoor temperature.