Surrounded by a landscape of ravines, rivers, and starry nights, Casa Ojiva is located at the top of a ravine in San Juan del Rio, Queretaro, Mexico. The design by León Higuera Arquitectura strives to create connections between humankind and nature, transforming a Gothic ogival arch into two concrete leaves that emerge from the main façade and project towards the rear façade.
Inspired by beauty’s imperfection, raw materials such as concrete and wood predominate throughout the project. Due to Casa Ojiva’s unique geographic location, it was decided to use materials from the area that harmonize with the surroundings and are friendly to the environment. The concrete leaves at the main entrance, for example, are interwoven with dry branches to form a lattice that serves as both protection and a textural element for the façade.
Inside the home, shades of beige, grey and black were selected for their ability to blend with changing colours of the sky and the surrounding fauna and flora. The neutral colours are enhanced by a variety of textures to create visual depth and interest.
Furnishings and fixtures include wool blankets, textured upholstery, Mexican accessories from Michoacan, a sculptural kitchen island anchored on its left side with stone, and perhaps most impressively an elliptical jacuzzi at the centre of the terrace that invites inhabitants to take in the starry night.
