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Brutalismo: A Concrete Cabin in the Woods of Cañada De Alferes, Mexico

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Brutalismo: A Concrete Cabin in the Woods of Cañada De Alferes, Mexico

May 31, 2024

The idea was a cabin in the woods, but the cabin is a cube-like Brutalist structure and the woods are Cañada De Alferes, an hour outside of Mexico City. “I wanted the house to look like a cube which would have crashed on the floor, among the trees,” explains Mexico City-based French architect Ludwig Godefroy. The two bedroom vacation house is 1,600 square feet with a compact 9-by-9 meter footprint (about 30 x 30 feet). Half-levels organized around a double-height space in poured-in-place concrete are designed with built-in concrete furniture and pine wood doors. Join us for a closer look.

Photography by Rory Gardiner courtesy of Ludwig Godefroy.

the design is intended to grow vertically, not horizontally. 17
Above: The design is intended to grow vertically, not horizontally.
the typography of the land dictates the design: cantilevered on the south corne 18
Above: The typography of the land dictates the design: cantilevered on the south corner and sunken on the north corner.
a view of the exterior showcases both wide and narrow windows throughout the st 19
Above: A view of the exterior showcases both wide and narrow windows throughout the structure.
stone steps and a long concrete platform leads to a front door in solid pine. 20
Above: Stone steps and a long concrete platform leads to a front door in solid pine.
the first floor features a conversation pit, or sunken living room, and an exag 21
Above: The first floor features a conversation pit, or sunken living room, and an exaggerated chimney on the wood burning stove. The house is boken up into two areas: the second floor is considered to be the morning area and the first floor is the afternoon area.
skylight windows are inaccessible from the outside &#8\2\20;giving the hous 22
Above: Skylight windows are inaccessible from the outside “giving the house this cathedral feeling and proportion on the inside with light entering everywhere from the top” explains Godefroy.
the kitchen/dining area sits mid level in the house. 23
Above: The kitchen/dining area sits mid-level in the house.
a series of concrete cubbies make up the small kitchen and a built in table is  24
Above: A series of concrete cubbies make up the small kitchen and a built-in table is lined with oiled oak Hans Wegner Wishbone Chairs. A similar pendant light is the Barn Light Electric Original Cord Pendant Light in green.
the kitchen sink is made from one continuous flow of concrete, fitted with a co 25
Above: The kitchen sink is made from one continuous flow of concrete, fitted with a commercial-style faucet and an Ikea Ordning Dish Drainer.
the upper bedroom is lofted off the kitchen with a built in bed and a desk fitt 26
Above: The upper bedroom is lofted off the kitchen with a built-in bed and a desk fitted with an Ikea Långfjäll Conference Chair and Verner Panton Flowerpot Table Lamp in grey beige. In the foreground sits a Coleman Vintage Steel Belted Cooler.
the downstairs bedroom is more secluded with light that comes from above skylig 27
Above: The downstairs bedroom is more secluded with light that comes from above skylights flooding into the house and narrow windows.
an ensuite bathroom made of concrete fixtures. 28
Above: An ensuite bathroom made of concrete fixtures.
the backside of the shower is an open closet area with shelving and a single cl 29
Above: The backside of the shower is an open closet area with shelving and a single clothes rail.
a diagonal skylight extrudes from the façade of the structure. 30
Above: A diagonal skylight extrudes from the façade of the structure.
the rooftop is made up of skylights in various organic shapes and a brick surfa 31
Above: The rooftop is made up of skylights in various organic shapes and a brick surface.
the building looks out above the trees. 32
Above: The building looks out above the trees.

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Frequently asked questions

Who is the architect of the Brutalismo cabin in Cañada De Alferes?

The architect of the Brutalismo cabin in Cañada De Alferes is Ludwig Godefroy, a Mexico City-based French architect.

What is the size of the vacation house?

The vacation house is 1,600 square feet with a compact 9-by-9 meter footprint (about 30 x 30 feet).

What materials are used in the cabin design?

The cabin is a cube-like Brutalist structure made of poured-in-place concrete, with built-in concrete furniture and pine wood doors.

How is the design of the cabin intended to grow?

The design of the cabin is intended to grow vertically, not horizontally.

What features are highlighted in the exterior of the cabin?

The exterior showcases both wide and narrow windows throughout the structure.

Product summary  Item 6 152Item 7 153

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Carl Hansen & Son

Wishbone Chair

$985.00 USD from Design Within Reach

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