Just one block from the iconic Ermita park in Mérida, Yucatán, this house presented a unique design challenge: how to work with an existing structure that had undergone a past renovation which erased much of its colonial character. Instead of reverting to a false historicism, we embraced the layers of time and opted for a reinterpretation that honors both the colonial essence and a bold, contemporary vision.

We retained the structural bones of the building, using them as a canvas to merge past and present. Brutalist-inspired concrete frames were introduced around the new pool area, creating a striking contrast with the restored textures of the original walls. These frames act as thresholds—spaces of transition between the old and the new—reinforcing spatial hierarchies while allowing the architecture to breathe.

This project is a dialogue between restraint and expression, where colonial memory coexists with authorial design. The result is a home that feels both rooted and forward-looking—a respectful reimagining that contributes to the living heritage of the historic center.