Fronda House: Enclosed from the Outside, Open Within!

Fronda House" is a dwelling composed of two building masses. This house, designed by MO+G Taller de Arquitectura, is located in Zapopan, Mexico. With a total area of 240 square meters, the residence seamlessly integrates with its surroundings, featuring unique floor levels in the building.

This rectangular plot house is surrounded by exposed walls on all sides, creating a clear boundary between the house and its outdoor area. The house relies on the interior space to maximize its views. In the front of the house, you can only see sturdy walls and stones adorned with a garden and a brick-paved parking area. Its wooden door adds a mysterious touch to the house's appearance.

The two building masses are separated based on their functions and purposes. The single-story mass is utilized as a gathering and service area, while the two-story mass is designed for nighttime activities such as sleeping and relaxing. These two masses are connected by a glass-roofed corridor. This design approach ensures that both volumes have their own privacy and views within their respective spaces.

Visitors enter through the glass door of the house. In this area, there is a storage closet where visitors or homeowners can store various items for going outside, such as jackets or shoes. This area is commonly referred to as a transition or mudroom.

The kitchen area serves as a service area and is visible to visitors when entering the building. This kitchen is designed in a very simple manner with wooden cabinetry and white kitchen countertops. The white color complements and enhances the color and texture of the wood used in the cabinets.

Right next to the kitchen area, there is a dining room with a large table that can accommodate eight people. The dining room is very simple and has a warm ambiance with its wooden furniture and ceiling. On both sides of the dining room, there are floor-to-ceiling glass windows, which make the room feel more spacious and provide a refreshing atmosphere when opened.

The living room is furnished with a sofa, chairs, and a coffee table, all facing towards the garden. This living room is connected to a relaxation area at the back of the house and a pathway leading to the corridor to the private building mass. The overall use of glass windows in these spaces creates a sense of spaciousness and comfort throughout the house.

The two-story building mass is designed by lowering the ground level, creating a semi-basement space for its bedrooms. Unlike conventional perceptions of semi-basements, this floor features open spaces that extend towards the garden and incorporates glass windows in its walls, allowing ample natural light and a connection to the outdoors.

In the semi-basement area, there are two rooms: a family room and a bedroom. Both rooms are equipped with bathrooms. The family room features walls constructed from stones, creating a natural ambiance. The floor above is utilized as the main bedroom for the homeowner. This bedroom is spacious and includes a walk-in closet and a bathroom with a shower area. It has only one door, which opens to the corridor, ensuring added privacy for the bedroom.

Unlike the atmosphere in other rooms, the bathroom in this house features a unique design with exposed materials. The cool and refreshing ambiance adds a sense of rejuvenation to the bathing experience. The towel and clothing hanging area is quite unique with the presence of a ladder within the room. The dominance of black over white in color gives an elegant impression.

The facade of this house has a closed and simple appearance. The exposed construction on the roof becomes a unique part of the interior design. The exterior walls are left unpainted, providing various colors and appearances on each wall. The color of the wall plaster gives a natural and artistic impression.

source: archdaily | MO+G Taller de Arquitectura