A revolutionary residential project in Nocaima, Colombia, is challenging conventional approaches to family home design. House N, created by architecture firm crearq., represents a thoughtful exploration of how spaces can foster family connection and celebrate everyday moments through innovative architectural solutions.
Completed in 2025, the 580-square-meter residence was born from a fundamental question posed by architects Miguel León and María Adelaida Herrera: How do you design a home not for individuals, but for a family as a living and emotional whole? This philosophical approach guided every aspect of the design process, resulting in a structure that prioritizes presence over perfection and contemplation over grandeur.
The architectural concept centers around two distinct volumes that orbit a central courtyard, creating what the architects describe as an "intentional void" that connects all spaces while allowing nature to take center stage. This central courtyard serves as the heart of the home, where light, air, and memory flow freely between rooms. Every space in the house opens to this central area, ensuring constant visual and physical connection throughout the residence.
The design philosophy follows the principle of "subtracting to add," emphasizing the value of silence, shadow, and stillness in contemporary living. This approach reflects a growing trend in Latin American architecture that challenges the notion that more space necessarily means better living. Instead, House N demonstrates how thoughtful spatial organization can create richness through restraint.
Material selection played a crucial role in achieving the project's emotional resonance. The architects chose stone, wood, and terracotta tiles specifically to evoke childhood memories of traditional countryside homes while reinterpreting these elements through a contemporary and timeless architectural language. These natural materials not only provide tactile warmth but also age gracefully, ensuring the home will develop character over time.
Photographer Mateo Soto's documentation of the project reveals how natural light transforms the spaces throughout the day, with the central courtyard acting as a light well that illuminates the surrounding rooms. The interplay between indoor and outdoor spaces creates a seamless living environment that responds to Colombia's favorable climate conditions.
The project team included design team members David Rojas and Juan José Vargas, with structural engineering by Fernando Torres. Specialized manufacturers and suppliers contributed to the project's success, including Cristalglass, Dabar Marmoles y Granitos for stone work, Ecoz Energía Solar for sustainable energy solutions, Juan Camacho for craftsmanship details, and Sielu Design for custom elements.
House N represents more than architectural innovation; it stands as a tribute to shared life and family connection. Rather than creating a showcase piece designed to impress visitors, the architects focused on creating a companion for daily living. The home features open spaces specifically designed for gathering, where architecture embraces what the family values most: time spent together and the beauty found in ordinary moments.
This project contributes to ongoing conversations about residential architecture in Latin America, where architects increasingly focus on creating homes that respond to local climate, culture, and family structures. House N demonstrates how contemporary design can honor traditional values while meeting modern living requirements, offering a model for thoughtful residential architecture that prioritizes human experience over architectural spectacle.
