The Dezeen Awards 2023 Housing Project winner was the Black Stone House located in Valle de Bravo, Mexico. This project also secured the prestigious title of Dezeen Awards 2023 Overall Design of the Year.
The Design Team
The project was conceived and executed by the Mexico City-based architecture studio Taller Hector Barroso.
- Principal Architect: Hector Barroso
- Design Architect: Diego Rivero Borrell
- Landscape Design: Gloria Ortiz
Design Philosophy
Taller Hector Barroso's approach for Black Stone House focused on integrating the structure harmoniously into the rugged, sloping landscape of Valle de Bravo. The design emphasized:
- Contextual Sensitivity: Utilizing local volcanic stone to blend with the terrain.
- Spatial Fluidity: Creating interconnected interior and exterior living areas.
- Material Honesty: Employing natural materials like stone, wood, and concrete, expressed authentically.
- Light and Shadow: Strategically designing openings to capture light and frame views of the surrounding forest and lake.
The resulting structure, comprising distinct but connected stone volumes under flat concrete roofs, appears as a natural extension of the hillside.
Award Recognition
The judges commended Black Stone House for its exceptional craftsmanship, sustainable material choices, and seamless relationship with its dramatic natural setting. The win solidified Taller Hector Barroso's reputation for creating deeply contextual and materially rich residential architecture.
