Less Color More Peace | Zen House

A peaceful retreat designed around the preservation of nature — Zen House redefines the modern family home through minimalist architecture and deep respect for the land. Built in Mérida, Mexico, this concrete residence by Garrido Lizarraga Arquitectos integrates a private yoga studio and living spaces that weave through 45 preserved endemic trees.

Large glass openings connect the interior with lush surroundings, while exposed concrete, polished white cement floors, and black-framed windows create a calm, serene atmosphere. At the heart of the home is a double-height central space crossed by a curved bridge, connecting all rooms and fostering interaction through light, shadow, and layered perspectives.

This house doesn’t stand out — it blends in, honoring the local landscape and providing refuge for birds like parrots and hummingbirds. Discover how Zen House turns architectural constraints into beauty, silence, and connection with nature.

Credits:

Architecture: Garrido Lizarraga Arquitectos
Lead Architects: Julio Garrido, Leonardo Marrufo, José Luis Ojeda, Patricio Trava
Location: Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
Area: 400 m²
Year: 2022
Photographs: Manolo Solís

Similar Posts

  • Auburn Addition and Remodel

    Built in the late 1970s, the Auburn house is reminiscent of the California Modern homes built in the mid-century. Located in an established neighborhood of mixed residential typologies, the house greets the neighborhood on the north street side and opens to a southern back yard perched above the North Fork of the American River canyon. The owners, who both work from home, asked us to develop a master plan for the property that included additional space for private offices, a guest bedroom, a workshop, and a future pool. Also desired was an extensive remodel of the existing house that update the home and improve energy efficiency. The two-story addition to the home is tucked into a narrow buildable slice of the parcel on the eastern end of the home. It optimizes the existing infrastructure and only hints at a bold modern form, from the street side. However, on the private south side, the addition opens dramatically to the inspiring southern canyon view from the second-floor office spaces. A second entrance is provided into the “creative” wing of the building – to allow work to occur with some separation from the activity of family life. The remodel of the existing home evokes the California Modernist moments of the building by creating smoother transitions between the interior and exterior spaces and updating the kitchen to create better functionality all while using sustainable materials that are expressed in an honest manner. The energy upgrades on this home focus on improving the envelope through meticulous air sealing, replacing all the existing insulation, replacing all the windows, and upgrading all the mechanical equipment. An oversized and outdated furnace was replaced with a high performing unit installed within a conditioned attic. Heating and cooling in the new addition will be provided by a ductless mini split. A roof mounted 6 kW photovoltaic system is expected to offset all the electrical usage for this mixed fuel home.