Located in Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico, Casa Catedral is a bold architectural project by Laboratorio de Arquitectura, spanning over 8,600 square feet. The project emphasizes materiality, focusing on economic efficiency and sustainability, while embracing a distinctive design approach that harmonizes with its natural surroundings.

From the front, Casa Catedral appears to be a monolithic structure with no views to the inside. Step around back and the home opens up with walls of windows and exterior spaces that extend from the interior rooms. The residence is made of custom-designed blocks designed to serve as both structural and aesthetic elements. Inspired by the form of elongated ingots, these blocks were meticulously developed to minimize vertical separation and highlight horizontal lines. The incorporation of a tongue and groove system ensures precise alignment and structural stability, while the blocks? cavities allow for the seamless integration of electrical and plumbing systems, enhancing both the functionality and efficiency of the building.
The layout is organized along a linear axis, featuring four distinct volumes interconnected by a central corridor. This configuration artfully separates the public and private areas, ensuring both a sense of intimacy and openness. The building?s thoughtful orientation takes full advantage of its southeast-facing position, offering sweeping views of the surrounding canyon landscape and fostering a close connection with the ...