Part of a larger community of homes and ranches spread across the region, Rancho San Francisco in Tapalpa, Mexico finds inventive new ways to blend in with the landscape around it. Designed by AE Arquitectos, this large and spacious home is instantly recognizable thanks to its exterior in gray that has been crafted using cut and molded volcanic rocks. The rocks give the home a personality of its own even while striking to the contemporary-urban narrative of the structure. Pinewood has been combined with the stoic presence of rock to add a warm, cozy appeal to an otherwise minimal silhouette.Rancho San Francisco in Tapalpa, MexicoThe highlight of the house is the central patio filled with a grid of oak trees the offers the perfect outdoor retreat even while effortlessly bringing together the different aspects of the residence. It is the patio that creates a transition zone between the contemporary interior and the more rustic backdrop and also links different rooms of the house with a common visual element. Panoramic views of the ranch around the house add to its interior quality even as the décor is kept elegant and unassuming. A tranquil retreat that also feels modern! [Photography: Lorena Darquea]Entrance to the Rancho San FranciscoSweeping, covered wooden deck with lovely viewsVast ranch around the house gives the homeowners a chance to enjoy the sights and soundsView of the sheltered walkways and corridors around the ranch houseVolcanic rock gives the exterior a polish...