Hobby Rooms, Light-Filled Hallways, and Courtyards Set a Couple Up for Retirement in Mexico

For her, it was plants and cooking. For him, sufficient space for Legos and films. Hobbies defined the program for homeowners Alejandra De Miguel and Jorge Cantellano, a couple who sought the services of their niece to design a dream home where they could retire in Pachuca, Mexico. "One of my favorite things was seeing the hope in their eyes and watching them imagine their dynamics living there, like where plants and toys would go," says architect Renata De Miguel Orozco.

But supporting pastimes wasn’t the only thing she and fellow architect Omar Vergara took into consideration. The duo’s first independent project, Casa Cantellano was also designed to accommodate Alejandra’s impaired mobility, and was done so with the personal touch of a family member who understood them first-hand.

Across the suburban sanctuary, a three-bed, two-level plan interspersed with courtyards, Vergara and Orozco ensured every room was accessible for aging in place. Textured wall tiles were chosen to add extra grip, and in one bedroom, the wardrobe’s clothing rods are wheelchair-height, should Alejandra or Jorge use one in the future. Similar considerations were taken for the floor plan as well. A tranquil courtyard framed by a breeze block pattern designed by the architects connects the Cantellanos’ bedroom and the kitchen with seamless thresholds for ease of indoor/outdoor access. Alejandra loves to cook, and lower cabinet drawers ensure ease of access.

For ease of access to the upstairs recreation area, Orozco and Vergara put in a lift off the ground floor hallway. It drops off on the second level next to Alejandra’s reading room, where she also likes to paint, and a cinema for Jorge. He has an impressive collection of movies, records, and games, and a fully stocked bar. But his eyes light up most showing off his coveted Legos collection, particularly a tiny grand piano with automated keys. "All the people who visit tell me that it’s magical, that the house makes people feel very happy," says Orozco. "The architecture is important, but it’s not just the volume or the construction. It’s the magic in the end," adds Vergara.

With his help, Orozco achieved a comfortable home not just for everyday needs of aging in place, but also a leisurely space that can be enjoyed for generations to come. "It’s Jorge’s and Alejandra’s," says Orozco. "Everything is designed to fit their needs and hobbies—it’s designed to suit them." For nearly 40 years, the couple lived in Alejandra’s parents’ 1,000-square-foot home with other relatives. "Sharing a space all their lives to having a place of their own was very important," says Orozco.