Architect: Javier Senosiain
Project: Casa Organica (Organic House)
Year: 1985
Location: Naucalpan de Juárez, MH
Text by: Anastasia of the Terrible
The architect built a 178 m² house for himself and his family, choosing the shape of a peanut for it. Javier placed the living spaces underground to avoid disturbing the natural landscape of the area. The architect’s philosophy is that humans and their dwellings should not be detached from nature.
The construction is executed in a cave-like style, adapted to the weight of the soil, and capable of retaining moisture. The foundation of the house consists of spiral steel rods, covered with a metallic mesh with cells. A solution was sprayed onto it using a pneumatic sprayer, forming a 4 cm thick layer of concrete. The resulting structure was waterproofed by spraying a 7 cm layer of polyurethane foam.
The completed structure was then covered with a layer of soil 20−25 cm thick. These are ideal indicators to prevent root systems from growing excessively and to keep plants compact. Additionally, the soil protects the house from cold, wind, and rain.
Sunlight penetrates inside through the glazed ceiling and window hatches located around the perimeter of the building. Plants create natural shade, serve as sound insulation, and climate control. Thanks to them, the temperature inside the villa is maintained between 18 and 23 degrees Celsius year-round.
The internal areas are divided into night and day zones. The day area includes a living room-kitchen with a table and shelves built into the wall. The night area consists of a bedroom in the shape of a "snail house," a dressing room, and a bathroom with a hatch in the ceiling. The furniture is part of the house, not a separate element. It was cast along with the main structure and now hides in the walls and peeks out from around corners.
At some point, it feels as if this house is a sketch by Salvador Dalí, brought to reality.
@gorkjournal
Project: Casa Organica (Organic House)
Year: 1985
Location: Naucalpan de Juárez, MH
Text by: Anastasia of the Terrible
The architect built a 178 m² house for himself and his family, choosing the shape of a peanut for it. Javier placed the living spaces underground to avoid disturbing the natural landscape of the area. The architect’s philosophy is that humans and their dwellings should not be detached from nature.
The construction is executed in a cave-like style, adapted to the weight of the soil, and capable of retaining moisture. The foundation of the house consists of spiral steel rods, covered with a metallic mesh with cells. A solution was sprayed onto it using a pneumatic sprayer, forming a 4 cm thick layer of concrete. The resulting structure was waterproofed by spraying a 7 cm layer of polyurethane foam.
The completed structure was then covered with a layer of soil 20−25 cm thick. These are ideal indicators to prevent root systems from growing excessively and to keep plants compact. Additionally, the soil protects the house from cold, wind, and rain.
Sunlight penetrates inside through the glazed ceiling and window hatches located around the perimeter of the building. Plants create natural shade, serve as sound insulation, and climate control. Thanks to them, the temperature inside the villa is maintained between 18 and 23 degrees Celsius year-round.
The internal areas are divided into night and day zones. The day area includes a living room-kitchen with a table and shelves built into the wall. The night area consists of a bedroom in the shape of a "snail house," a dressing room, and a bathroom with a hatch in the ceiling. The furniture is part of the house, not a separate element. It was cast along with the main structure and now hides in the walls and peeks out from around corners.
At some point, it feels as if this house is a sketch by Salvador Dalí, brought to reality.
@gorkjournal