The city of Merida, the capital of the state of Yucatan in Mexico, has experienced a remarkable architectural flowering in recent years thanks to the emergence of talent that has gained recognition through awards and exhibitions throughout the country. The architecture in this region, characterized by its tropical climate, responds to the specific geographic conditions, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations. Merida is a city built on the remains of the ancient Mayan city called T’Ho and its rich culture fuses different moments of history. Therefore, contemporary architecture in this area incorporates traditional elements such as vaults, latticework and sustainable finishes, reinterpreting them to create a new language that reflects the present in which they are built.
In order to understand the contemporary architecture of Merida, it is essential to analyze its history and land planning, as these aspects influence all the components that make it up. A distinctive characteristic of the land in this area is that it is distributed in such a way that the front facade is considerably narrower than the depth of the plot, which poses a challenge in architectural design. However, the community of professionals located in this region has mastered the art of distributing spaces in the houses, including small pools and vegetation, turning them into true oases.
The following is a list of some of the houses built on narrow plots in Merida:
1.- Naked House / Taller Estilo Arquitectura
This house faced the challenge of a residual urban plot of 6.5 x 27.5 meters with a west-facing facade. To address sunlight and ventilation issues, a barrier was created with the service areas to the west and the house was set back from the northern boundary, leaving only 80 cm to create an “air chimney”, which proved successful.
2.- Eva House / Taller Estilo Arquitectura
This residence adapts to a pre-existing structure with a narrow, anonymous facade. The design focuses on highlighting the structural elements through a free plan idea. The pool, strategically placed, creates a striking element within the traditional scheme.
3.- Casa Pitahaya / Taller Estilo Arquitectura
This house, subjected to various alterations throughout its life, is characterized by being introverted, dark and spatially unpleasant. The architectural proposal seeks to naturally illuminate and ventilate all the spaces, preserving the existing structure and guiding the layout and organization of the gardens that frame the project.
4.- Casa El Nido / Taller Estilo Arquitectura
This house is built on a plot of 4.70 x 26.00 meters and is conceived as a space that generates experiences, attitudes and ideas. The integration of an existing building with a new one is achieved by creating a large protective envelope for the inhabitants.
5.- Casa Estrella / Xavier Salas Arquitectos
The main entrance of this house features a double-height foyer enclosed by a lattice adorned with climbing plants, softening the afternoon sunlight. The design encourages integration between the interior and exterior spaces through large windows and sliding doors.
6.- Casa Lorena / Taller, Diseño y Construcción
Located in downtown Merida, Casa Lorena is part of what used to be a 20th century mansion. With a current facade of only 4.5 meters, a quarter of its original size, the house features a small setback in the facade that creates a small entrance porch, something uncommon in the center of the city.
7.- Cocol House / Workshop, Diseño y Construcción + Taller Estilo Arquitectura
Casa Cocol, originally part of an old Porfiriato-era mansion, has been subdivided over time to reach its current dimensions of 165 square meters. With the exception of the eclectic pastel blue facade, a neutral and ecru color palette is used throughout the house, including pasta tile floors, walls, beams, and white cement and chukum exteriors. The space is enriched with greenery, furniture and wood pieces in natural tones, creating a fresh, tropical ambiance.
8.- Deco House / Taller Mexicano de Arquitectura
This project arose from the need to restore an old house in the historic center of Mérida. Casa Deco stands out for its eponymous architectural style, although this was not its original style, but the result of a facade remodeling. The project seeks to highlight both the formal and functional aspects that the house has experienced throughout its long life. The backyard, balconies and terraces are important elements in reinterpreting the traditional lifestyle of downtown homes. In addition, spatial modifications were made to enhance functionality without losing the historic character.
9.- Casa Kaleidos / Taller Estilo Arquitectura
Despite the 1 to 17 ratio between the width and length of the plot, Casa Kaleidos manages to be a unique and innovative residence with a key feature: spaciousness. The materials used in its construction become strong allies, allowing a contemporary proposal that provides functionality in its 280 square meters.
10.- Casa Canela / Taller, Diseño y Construcción
Casa Canela is located in the historic center of Merida, near the Canton Palace on Paseo de Montejo. Behind its discreet colonial facade is a two-bedroom residence covering 155 square meters.
11.- Casa del Limonero / Taller Estilo Arquitectura
This single-family house is developed on two floors and is divided into two clear sections. The first area houses the main entrance from the street, occupied by the pre-existing construction. The second zone, located at the rear, contains the bedrooms and a central courtyard that serves multiple functions, including terrace, swimming pool and connection to the new building. It also serves as a distribution space and houses the beginning of the staircase.
These are just a few of the houses built on narrow plots in Merida. Each presents unique architectural solutions and reflects the creativity and ingenuity of the region’s professionals. Contemporary architecture in Merida combines traditional elements with new interpretations, creating a unique and vibrant architectural language in tune with the spirit of the city.
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