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St. Patrick by rdlp arquitectos

A multifunctional single-story house with multiple uses that is situated on the peak of a steep slope and offers stunning views.

Category: Single-Family Housing
Date: 2014
Location: SPGG, N.L., MX.
Lot: 1,200 m2; 12,916.69 sq ft.
Size: 1,159 m2; 12,475.37 sq ft.
Architectural design: Arq. Rodrigo G. de la Peña L.
Architectural design team: Arq. José Juan Garza Cavazos, Arq. Imelda Montenegro Guerra
Photos: Idea Cubica

About Architect

Rodrigo de la Peña holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Universidad de Monterrey and a Master’s in Architecture and Urban Design from the Architectural Association School of Architecture (AA) in London, England.

He is a member of the Monterrey Chapter of the National Academy of Architecture and has served as a professor at Tec de Monterrey, and the University of Edinburgh. He is passionate about architectural design and observant of his surroundings. In 1987, he began his career as an independent architect focused on residential contemporary design.

After gaining several years of professional experience, he studied for a graduate degree with a focus on urban design, which opened the doors for him to teach architectural design at Tec de Monterrey. In 2005, he founded rdlp arquitectos, a firm that focuses on residential, vertical, and multi-use projects. The firm has developed multi-family and commercial buildings, office spaces, and hotels throughout the entire country.

The clients desired a single-story house that could be "folded and unfolded" meaning it is versatile, so this is a view of the front exterior.

The clients desired a single-story house that could be “folded and unfolded” meaning it is versatile, so this is a view of the front exterior.

As you can see, a key element was that all of the areas of the house had direct access to the outdoors, such as the front yard and pool, while still maintaining privacy.

As you can see, a key element was that all of the areas of the house had direct access to the outdoors, such as the front yard and pool, while still maintaining privacy.

The main entrance is at the end of a long volcanic stone-lined path that leads to a spacious common room with a hallway in the center.

The main entrance is at the end of a long volcanic stone-lined path that leads to a spacious common room with a hallway in the center.

The white-toned compact kitchen features a glass sliding door with direct access to the yard outdoors.

The white-toned compact kitchen features a glass sliding door with direct access to the yard outdoors.

The simplistic dark gray toned bathroom featuring a wall mirror and a pebble-stone shower floor.

The simplistic dark gray-toned bathroom features a wall mirror and a pebble-stone shower floor.

A sleek modern bathroom with marble tile flooring and a hardwood wall that complements the furniture.

A sleek modern bathroom with marble tile flooring and a hardwood wall that complements the furniture.

Wide angle outdoor space view of the minimal pool and the front lawn of the property.

Wide-angle outdoor space view of the minimal pool and the front lawn of the property.

The pool and front yard are clearly visible at night thanks to the tiny led lights installed.

The pool and front yard are clearly visible at night thanks to the tiny led lights installed.

The property's outdoor area offers breathtaking views of Monterrey to the north and the Sierra Madre to the south.

The property’s outdoor area offers breathtaking views of Monterrey to the north and the Sierra Madre to the south.

This residence is located on the corner of a steep slope with magnificent views of the city of Monterrey to the north and the Sierra Madre to the south. The clients requested a single-story house that could be “folded and unfolded”, meaning that it would be a versatile multi-use space. Another important requirement was that all of the areas of the house come in direct contact with the outdoors while also ensuring privacy.

The house’s basic layout is a rectangle, a central volume that goes from north to south to ensure a view of the exterior in all areas. The goal of this design was to split the house in half to emphasize the main entrance and separate the social and service areas. To achieve this, we built the house facing the west of the property with extensive gardens on three sides.

The main entrance is located at the end of a long path lined with volcanic stone that leads to a large common space with a hallway at the center. The living room is located to the right of the entrance and behind the stone volume and has access to a patio and the pool.