House on a Steep Hillside in Mexico

This house, designed by architects Tatiana Bilbao Estudio in Monterrey, Mexico, features a whimsical cluster of five-sided concrete blocks growing out of a steep forested slope.

Thanks to its panoramic view of the sprawling metropolis below, the building evokes images of estates on Hollywood Hills captured in the mid-20th century by renowned photographer Julius Shulman. These iconic visuals served as a starting point and source of inspiration for the architects during the project development.

The composition's foundation consists of five-sided modules arranged to follow the landscape. This segmentation into distinct units also helped meet the client’s request for a clear separation between public and private zones.

“We didn’t build a house on a hillside,” the team stated, “we built a house that naturally grows out of the hill and becomes part of its surrounding environment.”

Robust angular forms and textured surfaces give the structure a monolithic character and geological quality, making it resemble a rocky cliff.

Inside, furniture made from solid wood, wooden panels, and terrazzo flooring create a warm and natural contrast to the smooth concrete surfaces.

Large plants suspended in the sunlit atrium complement the lush greenery views from outside.

Photos: Rory Gardiner