Casa Catedral Utilizes Custom-Designed Blocks for Its Monolithic Look

Located in Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico, Casa Catedral is a bold architectural project by Laboratorio de Arquitectura, spanning over 8,600 square feet. The project emphasizes materiality, focusing on economic efficiency and sustainability, while embracing a distinctive design approach that harmonizes with its natural surroundings.

Modern building with a minimalist design, featuring a walled garden and a staircase entrance. Two people are walking on the sidewalk, and one person is ascending the stairs.

From the front, Casa Catedral appears to be a monolithic structure with no views to the inside. Step around back and the home opens up with walls of windows and exterior spaces that extend from the interior rooms. The residence is made of custom-designed blocks designed to serve as both structural and aesthetic elements. Inspired by the form of elongated ingots, these blocks were meticulously developed to minimize vertical separation and highlight horizontal lines. The incorporation of a tongue and groove system ensures precise alignment and structural stability, while the blocks’ cavities allow for the seamless integration of electrical and plumbing systems, enhancing both the functionality and efficiency of the building.

A modern building with a minimalist design, featuring concrete walls and linear windows, surrounded by greenery and a tree in the foreground.

A modern building with a textured, patterned facade stands behind a patch of tall grass and plants. The upper part features a smooth surface, contrasting with the intricate lower brickwork.

The layout is organized along a linear axis, featuring four distinct volumes interconnected by a central corridor. This configuration artfully separates the public and private areas, ensuring both a sense of intimacy and openness. The building’s thoughtful orientation takes full advantage of its southeast-facing position, offering sweeping views of the surrounding canyon landscape and fostering a close connection with the outdoors.

A close-up of a beige brick wall with a geometric pattern, featuring staggered horizontal bricks. In the foreground, there are tall green plants and grass.

A modern minimalist house with a vertical brick facade, a rectangular door, and a staircase leading to the entrance. The house number "1569" is displayed on the side of the stairway. Lush greenery surrounds the steps.

A minimalist entrance with concrete walls, a circular light fixture near the door, and a small rectangular window. The front steps are surrounded by greenery.

Modern house with large glass windows and concrete design, featuring an open outdoor dining area and well-maintained lawn.

Modern, minimalist house with large windows, concrete walls, and gravel courtyard surrounded by greenery and a few trees. Clear sky in the background.

A modern house with large windows, a central tree in the courtyard, and a reflecting pool in the foreground.

The central connector volume serves as the heart of the residence, featuring a double-height entryway and staircase that create an inviting and dynamic space. This area uses tinted glass elements to mirror the surrounding greenery, further blurring the line between indoor and outdoor environments.

A modern outdoor patio featuring two black lounge chairs with a small table beside a circular hot tub, surrounded by greenery and a textured privacy wall.

Modern interior with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing an outdoor tree and landscape view; features minimalist decor, a glass partition, and art pieces on a sleek black console table.

Modern open-concept living space with wooden furniture, large windows, and an outdoor dining area visible through sliding glass doors. A comfortable couch, indoor plants, and a bookshelf are featured.

On the ground floor, the main volume houses communal spaces like the sunken living room and dining area, which seamlessly open to a terrace and garden. The upper level contains the primary suite, complete with a walk-in closet and private garden, creating a secluded retreat within the home. The other three volumes accommodate a range of functions, including a study, guest rooms, a gym, and secondary bedrooms. These areas are carefully arranged to maximize privacy and natural light, utilizing vertical greenery and latticework to form a sense of division without the need for shared walls.

A modern living room features a large sectional sofa, round coffee tables, a spacious dining table with chairs, and a wall of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, with large windows showcasing an outdoor garden.

A modern dining area with a long black table, wooden chairs, and framed art on the walls. Large windows reveal outdoor greenery; wooden ceiling panels and indoor plants add to the contemporary decor.

Modern kitchen and living area with neutral tones, wooden accents, and minimalist design. A person is blurred in motion near the sink.

The residence employs strategic placement of load-bearing walls and grilles to mitigate solar exposure and optimize ventilation, reducing the need for artificial cooling systems and promoting energy savings. The garden-facing facade opens up to the lush landscape, fostering a strong connection to nature, while the street-facing facade remains more closed, ensuring privacy and controlled natural lighting.

A modern interior space with large glass windows, wooden walls, and floors. There is a small table with chairs near the windows, overlooking green foliage outside.