A Mexican house nestled in the forest

Designed by Francisco Pardo Arquitecto, Casa Aguacates is a brutalist and bucolic buen retiro that, covered with avocado plants, is camouflaged in the Mexican forest

A rough yet welcoming villa, set in the rural lake area of the Valle del Bravo, a mere two hours from Mexico City. A refuge covered by avocado trees, hidden from view - both from the ground and from the sky - but that does not hide the panoramic view. A mimetic house, surrounded by wild nature but protecting a home garden.

Designed to generate minimal environmental impact from the Mexican studio Francisco Pardo Arquitecto, Casa Aguacates - Avocado House is the buen retiro where a young couple and their child spends their weekends to escape the bustle of urban life.

An avocado field ‘bury’ the house but not the view

The luxuriant three-hectare site, nestled in a valley between the mountains that offers a pleasant climate all year round, is covered by an avocado field that slopes down into a dense forest and glen. “The main goal was to guarantee a privileged view of the forest, but at the same time, the client also wanted to leave the avocado field intact, which inspired us to literally bury the house” explains Francisco Pardo, founder of the firm.

Preserve nature. And the view from the sky

The whole concept of the house extended on 246 internal square meters - 442 total revolves around the intention to preserve the natural elements and generate minimum impact on the surroundings. As a result, avocado trees sprout above the concealed and unassuming structure, which overlooks the treetops of the forest. As keen hang gliders, the couple had a special interest in what they deemed the 'fifth façade' - the view from the sky - which is designed as meticulously as its counterparts, to help the house naturally blend into the context.