Water and glass make the pieces flow together
Valley House in Mexico treads in light layers on its steep, hillside site
Like a village laid out in modernistic design, Valley House flows and connects to its different segments using a series of glass bridges and tunnels. Residents are transported to different buildings over trees and streams, minimizing impact as much as possible on the property.
Located 156 kilometres southwest of Mexico City, Valley House measures a spacious 6,500 sq. ft. and consists of three separate volumes. It’s also built on a 35-degree slope, so the home spans several levels, each positioned to offer its own stunning view of the valley — Valle de Bravo — below.
The main entrance, entry lobby and connections of Valley House are located at the centre of the highest level. The entry is built in a cube-shape, around a 100-foot-tree. A private area is located on the east side, with a guest bedroom and the primary bedroom with a large terrace with a firepit. As well, there are two children’s bedrooms and each has an interior garden and balconies with swings.
The main living area, including social and service areas, are on the west side. The social area contains the interior kitchen, living room and dining room opening out to the covered terrace, barbecue area, stone oven and outdoor dining room. There’s also a Jacuzzi/pool heated by solar panels and a deck that floats over the property.
Water weaves in and around the home. A water mirror at the entrance changes into two streams that surround the house. Those streams then flow through the central building down to a lake at the lowest part of the land. The water recirculates using a pumping system that takes the water back up to the house’s entrance.
Building materials include steel for the structure and local volcanic stone for most of the facade walls.
Sustainable features include a lake — for rainwater recovery — created by architects at the bottom of the property; solar cells heat the house water system. Local materials and resources were employed and, during construction, the property’s trees (oaks and ocotes, or pine trees) were preserved during construction.
Valley House cost $800,000 (U.S.) and took 18 months to design and build; it was completed in 2018.
Architect Luciano Gerbilsky, of Luciano Gerbilsky Arquitectos in Mexico City, answers a few questions about Valley House:
Your design reveals a real fascination with water. Why is water so important here?
Yes, I have a special attraction and relationship with water. For me, it is an essential complement in all my work. Water for me is important because it represents life, tranquility, fluidity and is, of course, a beautiful complement.
Was there water there already at the site, or is that all engineering?
This is all an engineering hydraulic system, designed especially for the project. It was without a doubt a very challenging issue, but well worth it.
What other challenges did you have in building the home?
This project is built on a very steep plot. Topography work was challenging, as well as creating the project respecting the land and preserving the many trees on it. We only removed two trees.
You’ve used a lot of stone — is it local or did you bring it in?
The stone is local. We brought it from a few kilometres away. For me, the use of local materials and resources is very important in order to achieve a sustainable project.
Your design uses dark colours in much of the home. What esthetic does that create for the residents?
I always design keeping in mind the site, surroundings, local materials — previously studying and analyzing all aspects of it — so when I design a project in the woods, I prefer dark and earth colours, because they transmit and give a warmer sensation and feeling.