A studio based in Guadalajara, the capital city of Jalisco, Mexico, Aagnes’ body of work revolves around the interplay between opposites – traditional and contemporary, local and global – all of which relate to a strong awareness of place. Casa Cedros, located in the town of Tapalpa, encompasses this ethos by engaging with and respecting the land on which it is built, ultimately carving out a space for reflection and recess in nature.
The motif of timber in Casa Cedros elevates the experience of being in the forests of the Jalisco region.
The home features oak floors, cedar joinery and walls made from local stone.
Caring For History
Sergio Ortiz designed Casa Cedros, an architect conforming to the so-called Tapatio School of Architecture (“Tapatio” denotes people originating from Guadalajara, Mexico). His work bears a resemblance to that of Luis Barragán, Rafael Urzúa and Pedro Castellanos – influential Tapatio architects of the 20th century. The use of local and raw materials such as cedar, and the integration of a patio as a leading element, are symptomatic of this artistic movement.
Caring for Place
Jalisco, the birthplace of tequila, and home to Mexico’s second-largest city is also known for its quiet regional towns – some by the beach, others in the forest-covered mountains. Tapalpa, in the southern mountains, is surrounded by the iconic cedar and pine trees of the region, making it the perfect destination for a ‘cabin in the woods’. The motif of timber in Casa Cedros elevates the experience of being in the forest, Aagnes creative director Omar Godínez explains, while each individual piece – each material composition – makes some kind of tribute to the long-lasting traditions of the nearby communities; “traditions that survive thanks to the respect for craftsmanship.”
The Faye Toogood Roly Poly armchair
The evocative living space is complete with contrasting textures – timber, leather, linen, marble – and a bold chequered rug.
The work of local artists is dotted around the cabin.
“A Timeless Balance”
“The reading of spaces is orientated towards a timeless balance where the past, present and future are valued on the same level,” Omar says. Rough wooden objects are paired with sculptural copper pieces, while structured marble tables meet soft basketry. Some of these pieces hail from the nearby towns of Michoacán and Tequisquiapan.
A Space of Rest
“Each vessel, each table, each lamp, each loom – blends with the meadows of the mountains, with the leaves of the trees and with each community,” Omar says. Casa Cedros is an opportunity to feel replenished by one’s surroundings – either solo or in the company of others – while also developing a deep appreciation for those surroundings and their stories.
“The reading of spaces is orientated towards a timeless balance where the past, present and future are valued on the same level.”
– Aagnes Creative Director Omar Godínez
The integration of a patio as a leading element is indicative of the Tapatio architectural movement.
