Residential SERIES • Project FEATURE
Between Forest and Light – Casa de la Cruz by Paredes + Aleman Arquitectos
A refuge conceived with deep sensitivity toward its setting, the home rises along the hillside to embrace the forest and distant skyline.
Casa de la Cruz sits on a steeply sloped site that offers generous views of both forest and city. The architecture responds to this natural gradient by arranging the home in staggered levels that minimize visual impact while optimizing sightlines. A white podium houses the social areas, subtly embedded into the landscape, while a lower level—created to take full advantage of the incline—serves as a wellness zone, opening directly onto lush outdoor areas. This sensitive use of topography reflects a careful calibration of site, form, and function. Each space opens to nature, while timber and light come together to create warmth, serenity, and a seamless dialogue with the outdoors. The project’s core philosophy is porosity. Every room—whether private or communal—includes a balcony or terrace, creating a gentle flow between inside and out. On the upper floor, overhanging balconies provide natural shade, frame the views, and invite cross-ventilation. These transitional spaces offer more than visual connection—they create an immersive daily ritual of encountering the outdoors, whether through early morning sunlight or evening breezes.
"Light, landscape, and material converge to shape a serene and deeply connected way of living."
The architecture is composed of a striking contrast between two dominant forms: a dark upper volume that contains the private rooms, and a white base that welcomes guests into open-plan social areas. This interplay of light and dark, open and enclosed, yields a sculptural balance between mass and lightness. Timber elements soften the boldness of the black volume, offering warmth underfoot and at hand in every outdoor space. The result is a carefully curated material palette that enhances both functionality and emotional resonance. Spatial clarity is a strength of the design. The social areas are positioned within the white base—open, generous, and directly linked to the garden. Above, the darker volume offers a quieter, more introspective atmosphere for rest and retreat. Circulation flows naturally between these zones, maintaining privacy without isolation. The lower level, accessed seamlessly, introduces a layer of leisure, health, and movement—tying the entire structure back into the earth.
Light is treated not merely as a utility, but as a design element. Skylights, lattices, and large-format windows are integrated to modulate sunlight across the day. Skylights usher gentle overhead light into transitional spaces, while strategic windows frame specific outdoor moments. Slatted screens filter light poetically, casting intricate shadows that animate the interior. This choreography of light not only enhances comfort but also deepens the spatial experience.
"To dwell here is to reconnect with nature—through the thoughtful language of architecture."
Timber is used sparingly but with great effect—particularly on terraces and upper balconies—providing a tactile warmth that contrasts with the smooth white base and matte black upper floor. Likely paired with steel or iron railings, the design’s materiality reflects both strength and softness. The chosen materials age gracefully, becoming part of the home’s evolving character and deepening its sense of permanence and place.
Beyond conventional programs, the inclusion of a lower level devoted to fitness and recreation reflects a holistic understanding of the home as a space for wellbeing. Connected directly to the green surroundings, this area prioritizes fresh air, movement, and personal care. It reinforces the idea that architecture is not just about shelter, but about enhancing the quality of everyday life—physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Casa de la Cruz stands as a model of architecture that is at once responsive, refined, and emotionally attuned. The home fosters daily experiences that prioritize comfort, clarity, and connection. Through careful handling of materials, light, and spatial flow, Paredes + Alemán have crafted more than a residence—they have created an atmosphere. Here, architecture becomes a medium through which nature, form, and the human experience find resonance and balance.
Casa de la Cruz is a luminous example of contemporary residential design grounded in timeless sensibilities. Each gesture—whether structural or subtle—is attuned to enhancing the experience of daily life. The architecture does not dominate but rather dialogues with the landscape, inviting a slower, more intentional way of living. It is a design that inspires not through excess, but through elegance, proportion, and presence.