The House of Tubes in Monterrey, Mexico|Houses

The Mexican architecture firm Stato by Grupo Urban led by Enrique Leal has recently completed The House of Tubes, a new residence project, integrating it into an existing structure from the middle of the 1970’s; particular shapes and volumes that made history in the southern part of the city of Monterrey.

Architect's statement: This project seeks to find the balance between the preexisting and the new; How can it be adapted to something that was there already, the needs and wishes, to a shape that does not present a direct dialogue with them?

The answer was complex, demolishing the house was the first impulse that made sense in face of the challenge. Rescuing the structure, and integrating the necessities, lead us to a point where the analysis became challenging and insinuating. We discovered that eradicating, as well as replicating, where languages that didn’t translate to the project. The best dialogue we could have was contrast; contrast based in lines.

Could the dynamism of a curved line be harmonized with a different concept? We sought a dialogue between lines of opposite characters, to unify two architectural concepts. Because of this, rethinking the necessities of the client in a space without previous construction was the wisest thing to do. Providing a sense and use to the original structure, became the next challenge.

image © Jorge Taboada by Idea Cúbica

Design a house with ample spaces; interiors and exteriors, that when integrated with the original project, would form a communion with the views of the surrounding landscape.

The layout and concept needed to resemble a museum, with multi-purpose spaces. A clean and sober aesthetic, allowing it to be used for exhibitions, reunions, workshops and other activities, pertinent to the different disciplines the family members practice. In the same way, it needed to offer privacy in between the different areas.

image © Jorge Taboada by Idea Cúbica

The lights and shadows that the property presents to us naturally, led us to create agreeable ambiences, well-lit and with movement, generated in the different stages of the day.

Floor Plan

The element that shaped the route for the home was the pool. We noticed that one of the existing cylinders was ideal for it, and by being an intermediate element, both in its height and location inside the property, we concluded it would be the natural link that we looked for to bring both buildings together. Water, being the element of life, represents this new era for the property, as well as the new family that inhabits it; the cylinder, as the vessel, represents the old stage filled with the new aspects of this emblematic figure in the city.

image © Jorge Taboada by Idea Cúbica

We centered our attention in making the pool the central axis, which is the reason for the visual awe that results when you first enter through the front door of the new project. This premise allowed us to explore an infinite amount of possibilities, where the finishes, modulations, elements, axis and visual rests generate coherence, taking our sight from one element to the other, always supported by the principal element; the line.

image © Jorge Taboada by Idea Cúbica

Another guideline was brought by the peaks from Cerro de la Silla, in its natural shape we found inspiration to understand how two parts from one entity could be distinct yet harmonize as a whole. We sought to conceptually recreate the peaks, represented by the buildings (new and existing), and the ditch as the space between them (the pool).

image © Jorge Taboada by Idea Cúbica

There were several proposals before we decided on the final design. The evolution was determined by the constant concerns from the client, this allowed us to explore multiple solutions for the same problem, like how to take advantage of the preexisting project, which led us to select the best ideas that arose during the creative process.

1- Landmark building

Preserving it as an outdoor social space.

2- Open areas

More outdoor areas and a smaller construction site.

3- Multipurpose use

Having areas that can be transformed from private to social, and vice versa, if need be.

4- Integration

A dialogue between its surroundings, and the old and new buildings.

5- Shape simplicity

Horizontality, sober and longitudinal shapes.

6- One floor residence

Comfortable, functional and accessible for everyone.

image © Jorge Taboada by Idea Cúbica

The property is located within the Guadalupe municipality, which is a part of the Metropolitan area of Monterrey, Mexico. Located in Cerro de la Silla, which is one of the most emblematic mountains in the city, and in Mexico.

The whole property is located at the foot of the mountain; it has a 45-degree slope, which represents more than 50% of its surface.

image © Jorge Taboada by Idea Cúbica

The predominant winds come in from the southeast. The best views are from southwest going northwest, pointing towards the city and the Sierra Madre mountain range, as well as northeast going southeast, pointing towards Cerro de la Silla.

The original property, which has several cylinder-shaped buildings, had not been finished since the beginning of the construction, in the mid-1970’s. The building is known amongst locals as “La Casa de los Tubos”. La Casa de los Tubos has captivated the city’s imagination, its unique design and the fact that it was never finished, allowed space for some urban legends.

image © Jorge Taboada by Idea Cúbica