Completed in 2019, Monte House is a 42-square-meter compact vacation home designed by TACO taller de arquitectura contextual for a young couple. Located on a 10,000-square-meter plot in the wild landscape of southeastern Mexico, the house is a secluded retreat that encourages contemplation and a close connection to its natural surroundings. The structure is a simple and compact two-story volume set on a platform elevated off the ground. This elevation helps protect against undesirable animals and facilitates construction on the site's rocky terrain, which prevented excavation. The home is strategically oriented to work with the region's dominant winds and sun exposure, ensuring a comfortable interior temperature. The exterior and interior are finished with a rough stucco and an artisanal lime-based paint with mineral pigments, giving the building a natural, reddish tone that blends with the surrounding soil. Regional cedar wood is used for the folding doors and operable louvers, allowing residents to control the amount of privacy and connection to the outdoors. A pre-existing tree provides shade for the swimming pool and terrace, an extension of the interior social area. The compact interior includes a double-height living room with a kitchenette, a sleeping mezzanine, and a bathroom with an outdoor shower. The interior design features a collection of locally crafted design pieces in natural tones that enhance the space's warmth and connection to the region. Credits Architect: TACO taller de arquitectura contextual Team: Carlos Patrón Ibarra, Alejandro Patrón Sansor, Ana Patrón Ibarra, Estefanía Rivero Janssen, Joaquín Muñoz Olivera Photography: Leo Espinosa Manufacturers: CASTEL, Comex, Tecnolite, Trivasa, URREA