A sprawling blend of indigenous and Spanish colonial influences, the traditional Mexican hacienda is a rural estate with thick adobe walls, red clay tile roofing, and spacious courtyards with fountains at the center. Originally owned only by the wealthy, they occupied large acreages appropriated from the local Indian population and served as social centers for their “hacendado” residents, hosting events like holidays, weddings, and reunions. Today, historic haciendas are often still owned by descendants of the original occupants, and many more have become hotels and retreats.

Restoring a historic hacienda to its former glory can be an intimidating project, but if you start from scratch instead, it’s possible to capture the luxurious tranquility that haciendas radiate while updating them for a new era. Architecture firm Chain + Siman collaborated with Modo Manera to do just that with Casa Rancha Avándaro, a weekend retreat in the Valle de Bravo area west of Mexico City. Their version draws inspiration from the openness of the traditional hacienda while enhancing its connection to nature and adding numerous all-glass walls to let the daylight stream inside.
The architects’ goal was to produce a relaxing retreat that functioned as an independent home for the clients while also providing plenty of connected spaces for guests. They wanted to incorporate key aspects of Mexican haciendas like solid volumes, interior patios, and gardens into the pr...