Casa Ocote, a remarkable residential project completed in 2024 by Mexican architecture firm PPAA (Pablo Pérez Palacios Arquitectos), stands as a testament to thoughtful design that harmonizes communal living with personal privacy. Located in the scenic Valle de Bravo, Mexico, this 342-square-meter house was conceived as a peaceful retreat for two families of friends, where shared experiences and intimate moments coexist in perfect balance.
The architectural team, led by Pablo Pérez Palacios and including Emilio Calvo, Miguel Vargas, Adán García, Andrés Domínguez, and Nancy Estévez, approached the design with a clear vision of creating spaces that encourage connection while ensuring personal sanctuary. The layout strategically promotes interaction in common areas while guaranteeing privacy in personal spaces, reflecting a deep understanding of modern family dynamics and friendship bonds.
Upon entering Casa Ocote, visitors are welcomed by a serene body of water that immediately establishes the home's tranquil atmosphere. This water feature serves as more than just a decorative element – the mirrored reflection of the façade on the water's surface amplifies both the architectural beauty and the perception of the surrounding natural environment. This thoughtful introduction sets the tone for the entire residential experience, creating a sense of calm and contemplation from the very first moment.
The ground floor houses the social heart of the home, where the living room, kitchen, and dining room flow seamlessly together in a generous, open-plan arrangement. These shared spaces are thoughtfully integrated with a large semi-covered terrace that serves as an outdoor extension of the interior living areas. The design takes full advantage of Valle de Bravo's warm climate and offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. This fluid transition between interior and exterior spaces promotes versatile outdoor living, encouraging residents and guests to embrace the natural environment.
The upper level reveals the architects' sophisticated approach to privacy and personal space. The private areas remain carefully separated and thoughtfully designated for each family, ensuring that both households can maintain their individual routines and personal sanctuary. The program unfolds symmetrically from a central staircase, which serves as both the structural and spatial axis of the entire house. This central circulation element becomes a unifying feature that organizes the home's layout while maintaining clear separation between family zones.
On each side of the central staircase core, bedrooms and private terraces are arranged with meticulous attention to views and orientation. Each private area offers privileged perspectives of the garden and surrounding landscape, ensuring that every family member can enjoy the natural beauty of Valle de Bravo. These private terraces provide quiet, intimate spaces that are ideal for contemplation, relaxation, and personal reflection, offering a counterpoint to the more social areas below.
Casa Ocote transcends the traditional concept of a vacation house, evolving into something more profound and meaningful. The architects have created a retreat that actively invites occupants to reconnect with nature while simultaneously strengthening personal bonds between family members and friends. The architecture achieves this through its serene atmosphere, precise spatial organization, and carefully balanced design approach that respects both community and solitude.
The project represents PPAA's commitment to creating architecture that responds to both site-specific conditions and human relationships. Through thoughtful material choices, strategic spatial planning, and sensitive integration with the natural environment, Casa Ocote stands as an exemplary model of contemporary Mexican residential architecture that prioritizes both functionality and emotional well-being.
