Pedro & Juana: Expanding Homes with Wood Between Tradition and Modernity

Using Wood to Expand the Residence

The Mexican architecture firm Pedro & Juana carried out an innovative modification on a house in the Valle de Bravo area, where the original building’s roof was opened to add a pine wood staircase connecting the house to a new residential extension located at a higher level on the site.

Integrating the Extension with the Surrounding Nature

This project, named the Wooden Annex, was designed as a natural extension of the pre-existing structure on a hillside.
The architects relied on a two-story wooden structure designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding hills, reflecting an architectural approach aimed at achieving visual and functional harmony between the building and the natural environment.

A Design Approach that Combines Simplicity and Function

Through this project, the architectural team highlights its focus on exploring local construction materials, such as wood, not only for their natural beauty but also for their environmental value and the sustainability they provide.

Preserving the Spirit of the Original Design

The main house was originally designed in the 1980s by architect José Iturbi. It consisted of two stories and featured a spacious covered terrace overlooking the lake, giving the home a serene atmosphere and a strong connection to nature.

Restoration Balancing Authenticity and Renewal

Pedro & Juana’s firm was careful to preserve the original materials and structural framework without making radical changes, focusing instead on precise, localized repairs where necessary.
In a move that reflects appreciation for the site’s architectural history, the team repurposed distinctive elements from the original design, such as the blue beams on the terrace, incorporating them into the new extension. This approach provided visual continuity and a sense of integration between the old and the new.

An Extension that Enhances Function and Space

The main architectural interventions focused on creating the new annex, built entirely from kiln-dried pine wood within a traditional timber-frame structural system.
This extension allowed for the addition of new bedrooms, a larger kitchen, and service areas that complement the needs of modern living.

Visual and Functional Integration Between Old and New

On the main level of the house, the architects expanded the kitchen toward one side of the original structure and opened it toward a carefully designed new outdoor courtyard that maintains overall harmony.
The courtyard area was covered with beams painted the same color as the original terrace beams, creating a visually coherent link between the old structure and the new addition.
In this way, the courtyard became a transitional element that bridges past and present, seamlessly connecting the two structures into a thoughtfully unified architectural composition.

The Staircase as a Key Design Element

The enclosed staircase is one of the project’s most prominent connecting features, extending between the old and new structures. It rises above a brick staircase that begins at the entrance and ascends the slope until it reaches the newly added courtyard.
In this way, the staircase not only facilitates movement but also serves as a visual and functional bridge linking the different levels of the project.

Blending Traditional Craftsmanship with Modern Precision

Pedro & Juana drew inspiration for this element from the original stepped stairs that once spanned the site. They chose two U-shaped steel beams as the supporting structure, fixed with kiln-dried pine wood to form the main passageway.
This passageway penetrates the original terracotta roof, creating a unique architectural connection that merges historical character with the contemporary addition, achieving a balance between nostalgia and modernity.

Drawing Inspiration from Original Architectural Details

Pedro & Juana’s firm highlighted that the house’s location at the foot of the mountain had a direct impact on its interior design. The original home was filled with staircases that served not only for movement but also as aesthetic elements for displaying flower pots and glassware, adding a lively interior touch that connected nature with the residence.

Expanding the Concept into the New Design

Building on these details, the team drew inspiration from the original spirit of the place and sought to extend this character to the passageway linking the two structures, turning it into a dynamic design element that transcends the traditional function of a corridor.
The architects also noted that this passage provides access to the roof of the wooden annex when needed, smartly combining practical function with the aesthetic simplicity that defines the entire project.

Natural Light Highlighting the Warmth of Materials

Circular windows along the staircase allow natural light to penetrate the interior, emphasizing the beauty of the pine wood cladding that wraps the walls.
This architectural detail provides a sense of warmth and enhances the home’s natural character, achieving a delicate balance between lighting and materials.

Organizing the Annex Levels

The lower level of the annex houses the building’s mechanical and service systems, while the upper level extends to contain additional living and bedroom spaces.
From this level, the residential areas appear to float above the surrounding landscape, with a rear terrace offering a new panoramic view of the mountainous environment.

Harmonizing Interior Details with Architectural History

Kiln-dried pine wood continues to be used in the new spaces, maintaining material and visual continuity between the annex and the original house.
Subtle blue details were added to cabinetry and window frames, intentionally referencing the blue beams that characterized the original design.
In the bathroom, custom-made Talavera tiles cover the walls in decorative layers, reflecting Mexican artisanal heritage and giving the space a unique artistic character.

A Project that Combines Family and Sustainability

The project is not only an architectural extension providing more space for family gatherings but also carries an important environmental and cultural dimension.
It is part of the La Liga de la Madera initiative, which aims to promote the use of wood in construction across Mexico as a more sustainable and aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional concrete-based building.

Wood as a Laboratory for Architectural Experimentation

Pedro & Juana’s firm views this project as a living design laboratory, proving that building with wood in Mexico is both possible and beautiful, as well as being a more sustainable alternative to the prevalent concrete-based construction.
For this reason, large portions of the wood were intentionally left exposed to highlight its natural beauty and warmth, a decision reflecting a sincere commitment to simplicity and material honesty in architecture.

An Aesthetic Philosophy Inspired by Adolf Loos

The team noted that this approach of emphasizing the raw material evokes the spirit of Austrian architect Adolf Loos, who advocated letting the material itself serve as decoration rather than hiding it beneath layers of artificial ornamentation.
In this context, Pedro & Juana stated:

“This project was about building with wood, so we wanted it to be a clear expression of that idea. Leaving the wood in its natural state seemed the most fitting response, perhaps carrying a hint of Loos’s philosophy in allowing the material itself to serve as decoration.”

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The Wooden Annex project in Valle de Bravo provides a compelling example of innovation in the use of wood for architectural extensions. It clearly demonstrates the team’s commitment to preserving the spirit of the original building and achieving visual integration with the surrounding natural environment. Attention to interior material details, such as the blue beams and artisanal tiles, adds a cohesive aesthetic dimension that reflects the project’s identity.

However, several points warrant consideration from a practical architectural perspective. First, the extensive use of exposed wood may pose long-term maintenance challenges, particularly in humid or variable climates, potentially increasing operational costs over time. Second, while the enclosed staircase and connecting passageway are functionally beautiful, they may create limitations for flexible movement within the house, making some routes less direct compared to traditional home layouts. Third, the strong focus on aesthetic and artisanal details might reduce the ease of future space modifications or integration of new technologies, necessitating careful planning for functional sustainability alongside aesthetics.

From a broader perspective, this project can serve as a case study for integrating traditional architecture with contemporary additions, highlighting the real-world challenges associated with natural materials and intricate details. It also provides an opportunity to learn about balancing aesthetics, sustainability, and practical functionality, raising questions about how the same approach could be applied to larger projects or different urban contexts.

Prepared by the ArchUp Editorial Team

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