- Interior
- Architecture & development
In Casa Camelia, basic forms and powerful materials dominate the interior. Together with the spectacular views, the architects of Romero de la Mora created an impressive home with a harmonious unity.
A home with a spatial impact, very versatile, open and warm, that is how the architectural office Romero de la Mora would describe Casa Camelia. The team, that is situated in Mexico City, has been creating projects that take into account local elements since 1999. Main architect Rodrigo Romero de la Mora is happy to tell us more about this project we are sharing here and in which the studio was responsible for each aspect. The idea to develop this weekend home for a family originated during the pandemic, when there obviously was a lot of time to think about the location and the best orientations. It was important to create a great spatiality, ensuring that the essential areas are connected with each other in a clear way. 
A very simple lay-out was developed, which only benefits the design. The entrance has a double height that can be observed in the façade. The full public space of the house (living and dining room and kitchen) is located in the same area, that opens onto a terrace with a bar and grill and looks out over the garden and a golf course. The kitchen is connected to an underground terrace, with a large tree that brings a beautiful view. Upstairs, we find two bedrooms and a family room, connected by a corridor linking the entire upper floor with its large windows and spectacular views. Furthermore, in the Mexican climate it is naturally very interesting to blur the boundaries between interior and exterior as much as possible. The team therefore elaborately researched the best views and orientations and positioned the windows based on their findings. 
Wood, concrete, glass and micro cement play an important role in the interior
A number of materials played an important role in the interior: wood, concrete, glass, and micro cement. The micro cement floor brings unity because there aren’t any joints, while the wood adds warmth to the spaces with high ceilings. As the Romero de la Mora team took care of all aspects in this project, an integrated, harmonious result was achieved. The main challenge in the project was clearly the terrain, that has a considerable slope and because of which the house was raised as much as possible. From the ground floor, you now have a beautiful view onto the nearby golf course and a lake. The architect admits that visualising all spaces on that complex terrain was difficult at times, but he also ended up learning a lot from it. 
The team explains that the private terrace is their favourite space, because it is visually connected to the full home and receives wonderful sunlight and enough shadow. The strong connection with outdoor life is definitely one of the assets of this residence. A rich simplicity prevails in all zones and turns this family home into a place to really enjoy. 
Photography by Ariadna Polo