- Project: Watchman House
- Architect: COA Arquitectura
- Location: Mexico, Aguascalientes
- Year: 2021
- Area: 86 m2
- Photography: César Béjar Studio
Minimalist Design for Maximum Comfort
The Watchman House, designed by COA Arquitectura, redefines what a compact home can be. Built for the watchman of a larger property and his family, the 926-square-foot dwelling prioritizes dignity, comfort, and efficiency, all while using the most straightforward construction methods available in Jalisco.
Despite its modest footprint, the house embraces spatial generosity through clever design strategies, natural light, and the integration of a central courtyard that functions as the social heart of the home.
A Monolithic Exterior, a Welcoming Interior
From the outside, the house appears as a closed, monolithic box, clad in apparent colored concrete blocks. But beyond the reserved exterior lies an unexpected oasis: a private interior patio that floods the living and dining spaces with light and fresh air. This contrast between closed exterior and open interior enhances both privacy and intimacy.
The entrance is marked by a low wall, steel fence, and exposed concrete canopy, creating a clear transition between public street and private refuge.
Crafting Space Through Structure
The construction system—jalcreto walls, concrete joist slabs, and polished concrete floors—ensures both speed and cost efficiency. A steel beam cutting across the stair opening introduces a striking double-height space, elevating the experience of moving between floors.
Upstairs, pine wood dividing walls add warmth and texture, softening the concrete surfaces and creating a tactile sense of home as residents enter their bedrooms.
Functional and Human-Centered Layout
The plan balances simplicity with adaptability. On the ground floor, the living, dining, and kitchen areas flow into the patio, ensuring natural ventilation and social connectivity. A laundry patio, discreetly positioned and semi-covered by the extended canopy, adds functionality without disrupting the architectural purity of the form.
The upper level accommodates two bedrooms and a bathroom, each benefitting from light, air, and carefully modulated proportions that elevate compact living into a dignified experience.
A Model for Affordable Architecture
The Watchman House is more than a dwelling—it is a prototype for dignified, small-scale housing in Mexico. By embracing modulation, texture, and material honesty, COA Arquitectura has created a residence that proves high spatial quality does not require excess.
Through the interplay of concrete, pine, and steel, and a sensitive integration of outdoor space, the Watchman House achieves exactly what it set out to be: a compact, efficient, and comfortable home for a family, imbued with respect and architectural dignity.
