Casa Albino Ortega: stone and wood meet lush vegetation in the Mexican valley of Tepoztlán

Tepoztlán is an evocative, almost mystical place. Not far from the Mexican capital, this city is immersed in the eponymous Sierra and is famous among tourists from around the world for the Aztec pyramid dedicated to Tepoztècatl, the god of fertility, and for the Ex Convento Dominico de la Natividad, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994. Here, where nature and ancient history intertwine, the architectural studio Rozana Montiel has created one of its most interesting projects: Casa Albino Ortega.

It is a structure mainly made of wood and volcanic local stone called Texcal, which is characterized by a hermetic external facade that turns into a large open space, thus integrating the lush vegetation of the garden.

"The house intertwines interior and exterior all the way to the terrace and the great open garden" - explain the architects - "Access to the house is via a flight of narrow stone steps. Beyond the entrance, a partially covered courtyard with a pool at its centre creates an area for relaxing in the shade."

The stone-covered areas, the plants that cover a plot of 460 square meters, and the water that plays a central role in the project define, as in a cloister, the patio, paths and rooms.

Next to the courtyard are the maid's quarters, a bedroom and a guest space, while beyond a shallow pond, there is a kitchen, dining table and a small sitting area. The upper floor is occupied by three bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom, but also by a large terrace overlooking the entrance below.