1999 / Nacapa, Coahuila, México.
Sergio Avilés es un amigo periodista de mis tiempos de estudiante en Monterrey, ahora columnista de periódicos internacionales como el New York Times. Hacia 1999 había un interés profundo por la observación de la naturaleza, dedicando una buena parte de su tiempo al estudio de las aves. Para alcanzar sus objetivos optó por adquirir esta pequeña represa en el valle de Nacapa, al este de Saltillo (Coahuila, México), zona que es esencialmente desértica.
Cuando visité el sitio, me impresionaron básicamente tres aspectos: la explosión de verde después de 50 km. de desierto; la estructura arquitectónica de los ranchos de la zona (existe uno cercano que es parte de la propiedad); y finalmente, el testimonio del pequeño valle que existía en el sitio donde está la represa, recordándonos que “los árboles mueren de pie”, porfiando las reglas naturales de descomposición y mostrando un cuadro tan espléndido y tenebroso a la vez. (Daniel)
Descripción del proyecto
En el encargo original, el cliente pedía una pequeña cabaña que incorporara un puesto de observación de aves. No fue difícil convencerle de ejecutar a cambio dos muelles de observación, que le permitirían estar más cerca del agua y de las aves que se aproximan a beber y dejar para más adelante la cabaña de fin de semana. Los muelles han sido alineados, ocupando extremos opuestos de la represa. Uno, más completo, grande y alto con relación al nivel del agua, permite incluso pasar la noche allí; el otro, se halla flotando sobre el agua para tener un contacto más cercano con la vida presente, cuyo nivel tiene una variación aproximada de 1.50 mts.
SUPERFICIE Muelle Mayor: 163 m2
SUPERFICIE Muelle Menor: 133 m2
CLIENTE: Sergio Avilés
Fotografías: Daniel Contreras
Galería de Fotos
Planimetría
English
1999
CABIN IN SAMAIPATA
Samaipata, Santa Cruz /Bolivia.
My sisters and their husbands commissioned me to design a cabin so that both families could share the space simultaneously on the weekends. The project would be located on the outskirts of Samaipata, one of the most splendid and enigmatic towns in the mesothermic valleys of the department of Santa Cruz, something that was already seen as a dream place for an architectonic gesture related and founded on the landscape.
Like any house in eastern Bolivia, the gallery had to play a prominent role and would have provide a roof emanating the idea of a cabin. The program was straightforward and the owners allowed all creative freedom.
Two large perforated and sloping walls, one of them curved, make up the design. These house the large public space on the ground floor and the main bedrooms are located on the upper floor, one at each end, which are joined by a bridge. In addition, a box is attached that houses the stairs, bathrooms and children’s bedrooms.
The large single-water roof overhangs the gallery and is supported by “cuchi” wooden shims that were designed with a capricious inclination and alignment.
In the rear sector of the land there is a more reserved space, intended for reading and observing the back forest, sheltered by a wall. This is joined to the cabin by a pergola that is still waiting to be executed.
Imagining is one of the best defenses to face reality or try to envision the future as if one were in possession of a time machine. The day we visited the construction site in 1999, I was 12 years old, and we walked through the brick walls, still half built, which would later become part of the cabin. In those paths I tried to emulate multiple constructions that were formed in my head, imagining is a beautiful mental exercise. Two years later I would dwell and wander through these spaces for long holiday periods, enjoy the light, the double heights and contemplate the view that the gallery and the large windows that the upper floor offered. Part of my interest in architecture and my first sketches with architectural intentions have their origins in this cabin in the town of Samaipata, in fact, I vividly remember the day when, sitting next to dad, he showed me how an isometric perspective should be made. This teaching was given the day that I shared some first ideas with him seeking his approval. Samaipata has always been a refuge and shelter and this cabin represents that and has been a place that has rescued me in multiple ways.
CONSTRUCTION: 1999
AREA: 220 m2
CLIENT: Suárez-Contreras and Fernández-Contreras families
Photographs: Daniel Contreras
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