- Project: CASA DLCA
- Architect: 0studio Arquitectura
- Location: Mexico, Zapopan
- Year: 2024
- Area: 496 m2
- Photography: Rafael Palacios
A Monolithic Home Anchored by Light, Landscape & Material Clarity
CASA DLCA by 0studio Arquitectura is a bold yet refined residence nestled in Zapopan, Mexico, where contemporary Mexican architecture finds expressive balance between materiality, spatial sequence and climatic responsiveness. Spanning 496 m² over three levels, this home establishes a powerful architectural presence through thoughtful form, openness and internal connection to light and landscape.
At first glance, the house reads as a concrete monolith—a sculptural block articulated in horizontal and vertical planes that define both programmatic zones and volumetric order. The stark, raw quality of concrete is softened at ground level through warm timber cladding, creating a stratified composition that registers visually as both robust and inviting.
Climate-Responsive Orientation & Spatial Logic
Designed to be oriented north-south, CASA DLCA embraces regional climatic conditions with a functional architectural language that integrates environmental awareness into form. This orientation optimizes daylight and passive ventilation, producing an internal environment that is comfortable, luminous and connected to the outdoors.
At the heart of the residence lies a triple-height interior courtyard, a defining spatial gesture that allows natural light to penetrate deep into the core of the home. This vertical void distributes illumination and airflow to adjacent spaces throughout the day, while the interplay of light and shadow animates the textures of concrete, timber and plaster finishes.
The courtyard also functions as a central organizing element—a spatial anchor that balances the geometric precision of the architecture with softness and natural presence. A tree planted within this void introduces life and scale, counterbalancing the rigorous geometry and offering a calming point of connection with nature.
Material Harmony & Spatial Continuity
Inside CASA DLCA, the material palette prioritizes warmth, texture and continuity. Wood finishes visually unify spaces, while green stucco accents provide a subtle contrast that ties the interior to its exterior landscape context. This layered material strategy reinforces spatial clarity and strengthens the dialogue between architecture and nature.
The ground-floor public program is conceived as an open, fluid environment. Instead of intrusive walls, spatial definition arises from furniture placement and visual axes that connect areas such as living, dining and garden beyond—creating a seamless interior that breathes into the exterior patio.
Large floor-to-ceiling windows erase boundaries, integrating water features and planting as natural extensions of interior space. Visual connections are skillfully composed: garden views, courtyard light, and framed landscaping elements function as focal points that enrich the spatial experience and introduce a sense of movement and perspective throughout daily life.
Architectural Poise: Between Volume & Void
CASA DLCA exemplifies how contemporary architecture can be both sculptural and humane. The residence deftly places solid and void in tension—where the concrete form carries weight and permanence, the triple-height courtyard and generous glazing lighten the architecture, making interior spaces feel generous, open and richly dimensional.
The vertical circulation core, organized around the courtyard void, not only mediates movement between levels but also reinforces the spatial narrative of the house—guided by light, landscape and material authenticity.
Why CASA DLCA Matters
- Contextual awareness: Oriented for optimal climate conditions, integrating passive light and ventilation into everyday living.
- Material contrast & spatial clarity: Concrete monolith softened by timber and textured finishes creates layered architectural expression.
- Interior-exterior integration: Large glazed walls and central courtyard unite indoor spaces with garden and natural light.
- Balanced architectural narrative: Rigorous geometry combined with natural elements (tree, light void) enhances spatial experience.
CASA DLCA by 0studio Arquitectura stands as a refined example of contemporary architecture that is both contextually intelligent and experientially rich—an abode where form, light and life coexist with clarity and calm.
