luminous casa zibu unfolds around series of courtyards in mexico

an immersive retreat by di frenna arquitectos

Di Frenna Arquitectos’ Casa Zibu is a secluded retreat in Mexico that immerses its inhabitants in a series of visual and sensory spatial sequences. At its core, the dwelling is organized around central guiding axes spanning its upper and lower levels, each of which are framed by black steel columns serving both as load-bearing structures and also visual demarcations that accentuate key elements along their trajectory.

In its program, the project’s volumetrics are fragmented into four courtyards, with two positioned in the center of the house and two in the front and rear. These green enclaves, marked with abundant vegetation and guayabillo trees, introduce pockets of natural light and shadow and generate a distinct atmosphere throughout the dwelling.

all images courtesy of Di Frenna Arquitectos

retractable louver system floods casa zibu in light

Despite the limited land footprint, Di Frenna Arquitectos conceals Casa Zibu behind reserved facades to provide seclusion for its occupants. Upon entering, the transition from exterior to interior offers an immersive refuge where a retractable louver system with vertical wooden slats enables residents to modulate their level of connection with the surrounding environment. This feature ensures a degree of control over privacy and interaction with the surroundings, depending on the user’s requirements.

Within, the program is divided into two symbolic levels, with the ground floor housing communal areas and the upper floor accommodating private domains. Cantilevered stone staircases welcome visitors, gradually leading them through the home’s various zones and fostering a sense of discovery. Materiality remains a hallmark of the architects’ design where exposed black-painted steel beams introduce a contemporary aesthetic, accentuating horizontal lines within the structure. While only subtly present on the ground floor, these columns assume a central role on the upper level, crowned by a wooden bridge that adds a sense of warmth and serenity.

Complementing this, grooves and joints in the concrete provide visual continuity while the presence of stone elements offers rough textures inviting a tangible connection to the natural world. The choice of pigmented yellow concrete further tactfully plays with light reflection to ensure a consistently illuminated ambiance within selected spaces.

Di Frenna Arquitectos unveils Casa Zibu in Mexico