ZDA: Oliva is a residential project located in Atizapán de Zaragoza, State of Mexico, which is composed of 40 lots of 5,000 m2 each. The design process for this development was based on the respect for its location, preserving each of the existing elements and designing around them. The house is an integral part of its context: it seems to be born from the earth itself. It is located in a clearing in the land, which prevented unnecessary earth work, demolition of trees or large excavations.
Furthermore, it was designed to have landscaped roofs, which, in contact with nature, blended in and created continuous gardens to the existing vegetation. In order to avoid placing a perimeter fence and therefore a physical barrier, a "privacy filter" was designed consisting of a sequence of stone walls that allow the interior spaces of the house to have clear views towards the exterior and at the same time hiding and protecting the access to the house from the view of the street.
The main axis of this project begins at the entrance, where a floating bridge becomes the main circulation inside the house until it turns into a reflecting pool that divides the main functions of the house: the public and the private. The union of materials such as marble, glass, concrete, wood, stone and steel allow this project to be part of the environment in which it is located. As a curious fact we can mention that three solid stone walls with rough finishes from the nearest quarry organize, structure and contain the house. Oliva was designed starting in 2014 and culminating with its construction in the year 2016.
