Sited on an elongated site in Michoacán, México, ‘La Piedad’ is minimalist villa designed by Cotaparedes Arquitectos for a family with children.

Guadalajara-based firm Cotaparedes Arquitectos designed the dwelling with a creative layout that instead of orienting the views outwards, it guides them to the heart of the house where two courtyards articulate the living spaces. Right from the entrance, it’s clear that this is not an ordinary home. A large wall extends from the main volume to create a front terrace and to also shelter the interior from the rays of the sunset. A long, rectangular opening offers a glimpse at the lush greenery in the interior.

The project arises from the basement, offering its owners a social area where their children can play, interact and reflect, all the while having their privacy. Cotaparedes Arquitectos cut out the structure to form three patios, adding green pops of color into to otherwise white interior. Simultaneously, the patios divide the house into public and private areas. The architects proposed two gardens, one in the back which in turn responds to the restrictions of the subdivision, and the other in the center, generating a social area that is surrounded by greens.

As for the spatial arrangement, the house is divided into two areas. The private zone faces the back of the land and the social area takes shape at the front. The upper level accommodates only one service space, providing the living room, dining room, and kitchen area with double height. This mezzanine level looks towards the two patios, the central one with the large tree and in front towards a potted patio that filters the views towards the street.