Mexican architect Jakob Gomez has transformed a 61-square-foot 1970s apartment located in the mountains of Monterrey, Mexico.
The home owners sought to brighten up the space, which Gomez did by introducing a bright yellow to the transitional hall between the common areas. Gomez explains, "The owners want to start a family soon, and also want to experience the outdoors in the social area, so we agreed to make a radical rearrangement and really exploit all areas with natural sunlight."
The interior also features a wall of windows, which stretches across the span of the open-plan kitchen, offering panoramic views of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range. In the summer, the home owners have the option of opening the windows, creating a terrace-like setting. Finally, the interior is finished in rougher materials, in order to ensure the space is a continuation of the mountainous environment.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Innovative Small Space Design
- Architects are exploring creative ways to make small living spaces more functional and appealing to homeowners, utilizing natural light, color and outdoor spaces.
- Indoor-outdoor Living
- Integrating outdoor spaces into indoor living areas creates a seamless connection between nature and architecture, allowing homeowners to enjoy the benefits of both environments.
- Rustic Modern Aesthetics
- Combining natural, rustic materials with modern design elements creates a visually interesting contrast, while remaining in harmony with the surrounding environment.
Where This Applies
- Architecture
- Architecture firms can explore innovative ways of incorporating natural light and outdoor spaces into small living areas, as well as experimenting with rustic-modern aesthetics.
- Interior Design
- Interior designers can incorporate natural materials and color into small living spaces to make them more appealing, as well as integrating outdoor elements into indoor environments.
- Real Estate
- Real estate developers and agents can highlight the appeal of small living spaces that utilize natural light, outdoor spaces and rustic-modern aesthetics to attract potential buyers.
