Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

A Verdant Forest Home Taps Into the Cultural Roots of Malinalco, Mexico

A Verdant Forest Home Taps Into the Cultural Roots of Malinalco, Mexico

Designed by Ceballos X Architects, Casa Mague is a nature-infused dream home that pays tribute to the history of its locale.

Designed by Mauricio Ceballos X Architects for a psychoanalyst and his family, Casa Mague draws inspiration from the Aztec heritage of Malinalco, Mexico. "Malinalco has a strong, ancient cultural identity," says the firm’s director and founder, Mauricio Ceballos Pressler.

"Piramide de Malinalco, one of only three carved pyramids in the world, is near the house and is part of the town’s daily life," he explains. "The inhabitants feel proud of their Aztec roots, and continue with traditions like the local market, food, drinks, and temazcals (or Aztec saunas). Local artists make continuous references to this time in history."



Inspired by the pyramids, Aztec culture, and the lushness of Malinalco, the architects opted to use only local materials to build the 2,906-square-foot residence. "These regional materials give the house a unique style that respects nature," Pressler says. "The wood we used is natural wood with a coating for durability, and the main finish for the walls is chukum, an ancient Mayan stucco."



The architects designed the rooms to feel as if they’re woven into the landscape. "Starting from the pre-Hispanic cultural context and the predominant connection with nature, the concept is based on the Mesoamerican worldview, where trees have a ritual meaning," Pressler explains. "The roots symbolize the connection with the underworld, the trunks symbolize the earthly human life, and the branches symbolize the connection with the Gods."

A curved and stepped wood wall in one of the living areas references the Piramide de Malinalco, and the dining room’s glass cladding creates the feeling of dining outdoors. "The pyramid is built with blocks of wood, and is reinterpreted in the main exterior space," Pressler says. The carved, monolithic stone of the fire pit represents a molcajete, and Mexican food culture."



The architects arranged the home’s volumes and spaces around existing trees, which gives the dwelling a labyrinth-like quality. "The interiors of the house keep the inhabitants in contact with nature," Pressler says. "We designed multifunctional spaces that can be transformed according to the needs of the moment. All kinds of activities can be carried out-from resting to working from home. This flexibility worked perfectly during the time of Covid-19."


Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×