Modern Holiday Home Takes Advantage Of A Trapezoidal Site

Situated on a trapezoidal site with two sides facing the street, Casa Kutz is a surprisingly cozy and expansive family home with lots of interesting design features. It was designed by studio CPDA Arquitectos in 2018 and is located in Merida, Mexico. Its owners wanted it to be a casual, practical and low-maintenance retreat, a place where they could spend their vacations and holidays with the whole family.

The house is exposed to the street on three sides which limits its overall privacyView in gallery
The house is exposed to the street on three sides which limits its overall privacy

The hot climate and the unusual shape of the site raised quite a few design challenges which the architects took head-on. They designed the house to respond to the sun’s natural path, with closed sections facing West and three volumes that open up to the North. At the same time, the house enjoys a close connection with the outdoors and features a swimming pool just outside the living area.

The only side of the house not facing the street is where most of the social gathering spaces are clusteredView in gallery
The only side of the house not facing the street is where most of the social gathering spaces are clustered
the indoor living areas seamlessly open towards a terrace which is turn connects to the swimming poolView in gallery
the indoor living areas seamlessly open towards a terrace which is turn connects to the swimming pool
The other sections of the house enjoy their own special connection with the outdoors in the form of individual little courtyardsView in gallery
The other sections of the house enjoy their own special connection with the outdoors in the form of individual little courtyards
The facades are mainly closed off, with the windows and a minimalistic aestheticView in gallery
The facades are mainly closed off, with the windows and a minimalistic aesthetic

Internally, there’s a clear distinction between the private and the social areas. One of the three volumes houses 3 bedrooms on two floors, another volume has social functions on the ground floor and two bedrooms upstairs while the third volume is only dedicated to entertainment areas and features an 8 meter high ceiling. This area acts as the main gathering space which feels natural given the central position of the volume and its imposing high ceiling. Sliding doors seamlessly open the space to a terrace which acts as a second living room. A marble kitchen island and an elegant wooden table for eight designate a separate dining area with sliding privacy screens between the two functions.

A smaller slightly elevated terrace sits in the continuation of the pool, complementing itView in gallery
A smaller slightly elevated terrace sits in the continuation of the pool, complementing it
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The outdoor terraces follow the outline of the house, acting as extensions for the indoor living areasView in gallery
The outdoor terraces follow the outline of the house, acting as extensions for the indoor living areas
Lush vegetation forms a border on this side of the house, offering privacy View in gallery
Lush vegetation forms a border on this side of the house, offering privacy
The central volume of the house has a high ceiling and large sliding doors facing the terrace and gardenView in gallery
The central volume of the house has a high ceiling and large sliding doors facing the terrace and garden
Although the site might seem very limited, it actually expands quite a bit at the back of the houseView in gallery
Although the site might seem very limited, it actually expands quite a bit at the back of the house
The private and the social sections of the house act as separate, independent areasView in gallery
The private and the social sections of the house act as separate, independent areas
The dining room can be separated from the kitchen through sliding semi-opaque doorsView in gallery
The dining room can be separated from the kitchen through sliding semi-opaque doors
The sliding screens offer flexibility, allowing the two spaces to become oneView in gallery
The sliding screens offer flexibility, allowing the two spaces to become one
The white marble kitchen island contrasts with the rest of the decor and adds an elegant touch to the spaceView in gallery
The white marble kitchen island contrasts with the rest of the decor and adds an elegant touch to the space
The backsplash is a trio of windows which let in natural light and offer a view of the gardenView in gallery
The backsplash is a trio of windows which let in natural light and offer a view of the garden
Ambient lights have been seamlessly embedded into the landscape, adding curb appealView in gallery
Ambient lights have been seamlessly embedded into the landscape, adding curb appeal