Cliffside Retreat Integrates Architecture With Raw Mexican Landscape
Perched on a rocky outcrop in Valle de Bravo, Mexico, the Las Rocas project by architect Ignacio Urquiza and interior designer Ana Paula de Alba is a striking example of nature-led design.
The small complex of four houses was laid out to preserve existing vegetation and rock formations, with each volume uniquely adapted to its specific terrain. Light grey stucco walls and seamless glass panels blend the buildings into the rugged surroundings while offering panoramic views of the mountainous landscape.
A modular system guided the placement and layout of each home, allowing for variation without disrupting the site’s topography. Angled roofs, open-plan interiors, and retractable glass corners extend living spaces out to expansive terraces. In several areas, trees pierce through patio floors and rocky elements are integrated into pools, steps, and walls.
Circulation paths wind organically through the vegetation, and none of the homes touch each other, creating framed vistas and privacy. Interiors feature warm wood tones, leather furnishings, and natural textures to contrast the raw concrete and stone.
The photography is by Onnis Luque.