Completed in 2022 in Oaxaca, Mexico, the Plúmula Workshop House is a 70-square-meter project by Espacio 18 Arquitectura that breathes new life into a dilapidated residence to create a functional and poetic live-work space for an artist. The project's name, Plúmula, which refers to the embryonic shoot of a plant, reflects the design's focus on new growth and revitalization. A central aspect of the design is the preservation of pre-existing adobe walls, honoring the building's history, while a lightweight steel framework is integrated to reinforce the structure and expand the space. The house was commissioned by Amy García Kennedy, a plastic artist who works abroad and wanted a retreat in her home country. At the heart of the design is a magnificent Flamboyán tree, which the architects made the focal point of the property, with key views from the workshop, meeting space, and bedroom all centered on its contemplation. The layout was designed for practicality and warmth, utilizing a sensitive monochrome palette that visually enlarges the interiors. This is achieved through the use of budget-friendly, locally sourced materials such as steel, adobe, pine wood, and red brick. These materials also create a dialogue between the old and new, and their familiarity to local craftsmen facilitated the construction process. The project employs several sustainable strategies. The existing adobe walls offer natural thermal mass, keeping the home cool during the hot Oaxacan summers and warm in the winters. The house also incorporates a solar water heater and a rainwater harvesting system with filters, while LED lighting was chosen for energy efficiency. Tall sliding windows blur the boundaries between the indoors and the surrounding lush environment, inviting natural light and ventilation and reinforcing the visual connection to the Flamboyán tree. Plúmula Workshop House is a project that responds thoughtfully to its context, integrating into the local neighborhood while offering a tranquil and inspiring sanctuary for its inhabitant. Credits Architects: Espacio 18 Arquitectura Lead Architects: Carla Osorio and Mario Ávila Design Team: Sonia Morales, Karina Flores, Paola Alavez, Renata Balseca, Aranza Toledo, Amy García Kennedy, and Ivonne Kennedy Client: Amy García Kennedy Engineering: LM Estructuras Carpentry: Orvesa y diseño Steel Works: Alfredo y Ramon Photography: Camila Cossio Manufacturers: Cemex, Helvex, Lumileds, Tecnolite