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Rio House / LABarq / Mexico

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Modern minimalist architectural project with clean lines, neutral colors and geometric simplicity in a contemporary building

The Rio House by LABarq is located on a trapezoidal plot in Santiago de Querétaro and uses a strategic V-shaped scheme to orient daily life towards the protected inner courtyard and backyard. The architecture balances urban privacy and bright openness, framing long views and coordinating movement between public and private spaces.

V-shaped house oriented towards nature

The scheme converges to the landscape, forming a central courtyard that becomes the heart of daily life. While the street facade remains measured and introverted, the garden side dissolves into light, panoramas and extensive indoor-outdoor connections.

Rio House by LABarq — street facade, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Photo © Ariadna Polo Rio House by LABarq — corner facade and entrance, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Photo © Ariadna Polo

Space organization and architectural strategy

LABarq organizes the house in two wings extending to the courtyard:

Public wing: living room, dining area, mezzanine and office with independent access — extends to the pool and covered terrace.
Private wing: service area, corridors, bedrooms and shared bathroom below; upper level contains the main bedroom and secondary bedrooms with controlled views.

Between them, the courtyard acts as a protected outdoor space connecting internal flows and framing daily rituals.

Rio House by LABarq — garden view with folding volumes, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Photo © Ariadna Polo Rio House by LABarq — courtyard view with glazed connections, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Photo © Ariadna Polo Rio House by LABarq — glazed corner detail, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Photo © Ariadna Polo

Structure, transparency and lightness

A clear structural vocabulary of steel columns, slabs and beams allows long spans and slightly lifts the public wing which rises above ground. This lightness enhances visual continuity through the garden, while bedroom volumes counterbalance with measured transparency and controlled shadow.

Rio House by LABarq — upper volume overhang detail, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Photo © Ariadna Polo Rio House by LABarq — hall with staircase, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Photo © Ariadna Polo

Life experience: flow and atmosphere

Sequences of arrival frame the courtyard immediately, guiding the gaze through layers of volumes. Two-story spaces connect to mezzanine and terrace, while evening lighting warms the steel rhythm and stone surfaces, transforming the house into a quiet beacon amidst the landscape.

Rio House by LABarq — living room at sunset looking towards the garden, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Photo © Ariadna Polo Rio House by LABarq — living room corner and fire view, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Photo © Ariadna Polo Rio House by LABarq — low terrace with round fire pit, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Photo © Ariadna Polo

Central core: living room, dining area, gallery

The open plan of the living and dining areas aligns with the edge of the courtyard, featuring high glazing that captures changing light. The gallery corridor becomes a daily walking space next to the garden, enhancing the sense of continuity within the house.

Rio House by LABarq — view into living room with high glazing, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Photo © Ariadna Polo Rio House by LABarq — overview of dining and living room with two-story glazing, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Photo © Ariadna Polo Rio House by LABarq — living room with sofa and round stone table, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Photo © Ariadna Polo Rio House by LABarq — compact reading corner with round table and shelves, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Photo © Ariadna Polo Rio House by LABarq — two-story dining area with artistic wall, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Photo © Ariadna Polo Rio House by LABarq — glazed gallery corridor with garden view, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Photo © Ariadna Polo

Kitchen and terrace: indoor-outdoor daily life

The kitchen serves as the center of family life with a large island and direct access to the shaded terrace. Sliding doors create a seamless threshold for cooking, dining and relaxation throughout the year.

Rio House by LABarq — kitchen with access to covered terrace and bar, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Photo © Ariadna Polo Rio House by LABarq — front view of large kitchen island with seating, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Photo © Ariadna Polo Rio House by LABarq — corner view of marble kitchen island and storage wall, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Photo © Ariadna Polo

Sanctuaries and rituals

Private spaces are designed for tranquility — stone, wood and filtered light create a peaceful atmosphere. A wall-mounted stone sink is comfortably placed inside the small courtyard, turning daily routines into landscape rituals.

Rio House by LABarq — wall-mounted stone sink in courtyard, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Photo © Ariadna Polo Rio House by LABarq — corridor with wall lights and natural light filtered through curtains, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Photo © Ariadna Polo Rio House by LABarq — bedroom with stone accent wall, wooden floor and soft lighting, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Photo © Ariadna Polo Rio House by LABarq — minimalist wardrobe with integrated lighting and marble island, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Materials and landscape integration

A warm regional palette is used with precision: marble from Santo Tomás and wooden cladding establish a tactile base; ribbed wooden panels accentuate planes and screens; dry gardens with local plants stabilize the site and reduce maintenance.

Rio House by LABarq — front facade with stone cladding and desert landscape, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Photo © Ariadna Polo Rio House by LABarq — facade details with cactus garden and modern lighting, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Plans

Plans and facades reveal the V-shaped strategy and sectional connections coordinating views, light and movement between two wings and the central courtyard.