This Refined Getaway Started as a Rustic A-Frame With No Running Water

Located off paved roads, across a river, and up a mountain, Pablo Pérez Palacios’s cabin in the Mexican wilderness has a rooftop terrace designed for entertaining.

This Refined Getaway Started as a Rustic A-Frame With No Running Water

Located off paved roads, across a river, and up a mountain, Pablo Pérez Palacios’s cabin in the Mexican wilderness has a rooftop terrace designed for entertaining.

Rising up from the idyllic shores of Lake Avándaro, the 500-year-old town of Valle de Bravo is sometimes referred to as the Hamptons of Mexico City. Located about an hour west of the capital, the locale has long been a popular vacation destination for those looking to escape the busy city, but during the pandemic, the number of those arriving—and staying longer—increased. For architect Pablo Pérez Palacios, who runs a design firm in Mexico City, the area’s rise in popularity was no surprise.

Pablo built the new addition into the slope in front of the house to blend it with the surrounding landscape. At the back of the property sits a greenhouse and a garage, the latter of which has solar panels on the roof.

Architect Pablo Pérez Palacios built a new addition to his weekend home into the sloping terrain so that it blends in with the surrounding landscape. At the back of the property sits a greenhouse and a garage, the latter of which has solar panels on the roof.

Photo by Rafael Gamo

Pablo designed his home with simplicity in mind, opting for simple geometric forms and a minimal color and material palette.

Pablo designed the home with simplicity in mind, opting for simple geometric forms and a minimal color and material palette.

Photo by Rafael Gamo

"Valle de Bravo is beautiful, and there are lots of outdoor activities available," says Pablo, who purchased land in the area seven years ago and built a small A-frame vacation home for himself and his wife, Sofia. "After the pandemic, it became even more popular, but we are far enough out that it still feels private. There is a point where you have to drive off-road for about 10 minutes...we slow the car down, open the back to let the dogs out, and they follow us on the way up." 

The extended section of the A-frame continues with cedar shingles and large glass panels for its lower half.

The new, extended section of the A-frame has cedar shingles and large glass panels to preserve forest views.

Photo by Rafael Gamo

See the full story on Dwell.com: This Refined Getaway Started as a Rustic A-Frame With No Running Water
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