A 20th-century house was renovated by Workshop Architects with modern touches and contemporary details, paying homage to Mexico's rich colonial heritage.

Named after the snake that regularly “visited” the property’s ruins, Casa Huolpoch is a relaxing villa-like home located in the warm peninsular climate.

Within the stunning colonial façade, Casa Huolpoch has four bedrooms and a studio apartment spanning 3,390 square feet. Upon entering the hall, homeowners and guests are greeted with an old cast iron lamp commonly found in nineteenth-century houses. Together with the white-painted wooden beams, these two materials enhance the high ceilings of the residence.

In the living room, pastel tones are integrated with casual and modern furniture by Artesano. The combined features of greenery and art pieces from Galería Urbana Blanquis, such as a quirky Timoteo on the coffee table or a painting by Pedro Friedeberg above the sofa, highlight the room with layers of colours and characteristics.

Workshop Architects placed a gray pasta tile "carpet" in between three repurposed doors with white edges to preserve the historic values of the place. Mozambican wooden furniture blends with Yucatecan designs, harmonising the space. The kitchen incorporates different elements, like the reinterpretation of an old hood above the stove or the pendant lamps by Axoque Studio. A sliding glass door connects the dining room to the terrace, which extends to the spacious exterior. Within this space, Workshop Architects allowed three cultures, through which the Dutch owners identify themselves, to be represented in the decoration and furnishings.

Starting with the table, its centrepiece and the drum came from Mozambique. The patterned fabric that covers two Utrecht chairs by Dutch designer and architect Gerrit Rietvelt has the same origin. Moving onto the second and third elements, a painting by Mexican artist Fernando Andriacci rests on the sofa. Across from the art piece is a cow’s head, adorned with beads of Huichol art. This is placed right above a traditional Dutch bicycle with the colours of the origin’s flag.

Next to the terrace, a chukum pool surrounds the stone remains of the old colonial structure, enveloping a large tree that stands beside the outdoor kitchen. Surrounded by yester-year’s walls, the outdoor dining area is exposed to the original structure, showcasing how the design team once again keeps history intact.

Workshop Architects shared how the “meandering” staircase of Casa Huolpoch takes inspiration from the ancient temple of Kukulkán’s millenary stairs in Chichén Itzá, serves as a visual axis and a sculptural element that brings its dynamism into architecture as a hallmark.

A much simpler design was used in the master bedroom on the first floor. This bedroom has a pasta tile headboard adhered to a Neon Caron painting and two sliding glass doors that provide views of the garden and pool.

In order to respect and resurrect the traditional values of Yucatecan colonial architecture, Workshop Architects have reinterpreted modern luxuries in the old house in a way that brings the owners a calming and laid-back living space.

Photo: Tamara Uribe