Residencia la Tosccana

Perched on a hillside in Allende, Nuevo León, this residence commands panoramic, unobstructed views of the Sierra Madre Oriental, a dramatic mountain range that dominates the horizon. The topography and the natural scenery define the character of the house, making the mountains an ever-present backdrop to daily life. Allende has been experiencing a remarkable transformation in recent years, as its proximity to Monterrey attracts high-end residential development and affluent families seeking both privacy and convenience. Against this backdrop, the house emerges as a contemporary luxury retreat, designed to maximize the site’s orientation, topography, and vistas. Gardens, terraces, and outdoor spaces are strategically positioned to frame the landscape while maintaining spatial privacy and a seamless connection between interior and exterior.

The design was conceived with adaptability and longevity in mind. Positioned to respond to the roundabout access, the house integrates two distinct gardens and is planned to accommodate all ages, ensuring that it remains fully functional and accessible for elderly occupants in the future. Circulation is intuitive, allowing for effortless movement between social, private, and service areas. The architectural strategy emphasizes hierarchy and spatial clarity, where each volume and room is carefully considered to create a series of experiences that vary by level, orientation, and interaction with the outdoors.

Central to the concept is a climate-responsive design. The main northern façade features large operable windows that can be fully opened to capture cooling breezes, while cross ventilation toward the southern façade maintains airflow throughout the home. Deep overhangs on the southern façade protect from direct sunlight, allowing the windows to remain open safely and ensuring that the interiors stay naturally cool even in the region’s high temperatures. This approach integrates comfort and sustainability seamlessly into the design, making the house both environmentally responsive and luxurious.

The residence is composed of three distinct volumes, each with a clear programmatic and spatial function, yet unified into a coherent architectural composition.

The main volume, oriented toward the roundabout, houses the principal entrance and service areas. On the opposite side, social spaces open onto a patio and an infinity pool, creating a continuous visual link to the mountains. Water, terrace, and sky converge to make the surrounding landscape an intrinsic part of everyday life.

The secondary volume, located on the ground floor, contains a private covered patio that organizes the guest rooms. Extending from this patio, an artificial pond acts as a subtle barrier from the street, providing privacy without the interruption of walls, preserving openness and visual continuity.

The upper volume is dedicated to the master suite and private areas, elevated to take advantage of panoramic southern views. Expansive terraces and balconies immerse the occupants in the landscape, creating a sense of exclusivity and separation from the more public areas below. The arrangement of these volumes facilitates smooth transitions between enclosed and open spaces, balancing privacy, transparency, and the hierarchy of views throughout the home.

The house is designed to seamlessly integrate luxury, functionality, and environmental performance. The kitchen is directly connected to the garage, allowing convenient transfer of groceries, and also opens to the barbecue area in the rear patio, supporting effortless indoor-outdoor living. The pool area is centered around a horizontal terrace that incorporates an outdoor living room, dining space, and barbecue zone, all oriented toward the infinity pool and the mountains, providing a spectacular setting for relaxation and entertaining.

The master suite occupies the upper volume, featuring a gym, TV room, and expansive balconies with southern vistas, accessible via both elevator and stairwell. Above the secondary volume, a second-floor terrace overlooks the lake and street, designed for private events and gatherings.

Beneath the pool, the sloped site allows for service rooms, storage, and pool equipment without compromising the design or views. The house integrates advanced technological and construction solutions, including passive ventilation, solar control, and energy-efficient systems. Every window can be fully opened thanks to protective roof overhangs and strategic orientation, while cross ventilation ensures thermal comfort even in high temperatures. Materials are carefully chosen for durability, sustainability, and low environmental impact, resulting in a residence that is not only luxurious and functional but also deeply responsive to its site, climate, and lifestyle.