CASAS Magazine
EDICIÓN 66
By: MarÃa Alicia Becdach, architect.
Location:
The building employs a duality in its materiality and design. This is evident in the glazed surfaces of the east and west facades, which pay homage to the views of the beautiful city in which it is situated. This contrasts with the exposed brick north-south facades, a material that exudes solidity and blends beautifully with the earthy tones of the Andes Mountains. These facades feature perforations reminiscent of Inca and colonial architecture, characterized by solid buttresses and chamfered windows, a feature known as "sloping" in colonial buildings, designed to ensure the entry of light through the thick walls. The building's penthouse, designed by architect MarÃa Alicia Becdach, occupies 230 square meters of living space plus a terrace and serves as her personal residence. The primary design principle was to utilize every inch of the building so that views and circulation would not be obstructed.
The transparency allows you to enjoy both the exterior and the interior. The house's beams are exposed, taking advantage of the height (2.80 meters throughout the apartment and 2.30 meters in the living room). I thought it would be spectacular to document the architectural process. The layouts are almost entirely open. The apartment's design reflects a very family-oriented lifestyle. It's about sharing time and space, and that's why there isn't a clear division between public and private, explains MarÃa Alicia.
Throughout the construction, the use of high-quality materials is a highlight. The current ceiling, for example, is made with recycled wood from the ceiling of the house that previously stood on the site. It's a chanul wood, over thirty years old, that was reshaped to give it a new look. The same wood was used for some of the apartment doors. Metal and stone were also used as natural materials. All the metal details in the house harmonize with the exposed beams.
Antique furniture, imported modern pieces, and some of her own design mingle in the space, sharing different perspectives on reality through their forms and origins, from a particular point in time. "I like everything to tell a story," says MarÃa Alicia. She sought, in both the architectural and interior design, something closer to eclecticism and timelessness. Alicia didn't hesitate to experiment with different methods and processes to achieve her desired result: a sense of simplicity and naturalness, seasoned with the aroma of old stories.
In the kitchen, the openness and height of the space were used to create an enveloping effect with wooden slats that descend from the ceiling and then transform into doors. These solid and beautiful pieces frame the kitchen and make room for the countertop, an enormous block of granite supported by rusted metal tensioners.
The motif of the small side tables in the living room, shaped like wooden slices, is replicated on a larger scale on the terrace. This table is used for informal lunches and breakfasts. "All three tables are my own designs, inspired by roots I found on the way to Jama. The terrace area is like a break, serving as a small garden in the heart of the city. The table has a sinuous shape due to its material, which makes the dining experience more special," says MarÃa Alicia.
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In the master bedroom, three vital pieces interact: the antique bronze bed (which belonged to her husband's great-grandmother), the trunk at its foot (nothing less than a personal treasure chest of memories), and the sink in the guest bathroom, a hand-painted piece purchased in Mexico that rests on a vanity designed by MarÃa Alicia. The study where MarÃa Alicia works houses two original Wassilly chairs, thirty years old, inherited from her father, which Alicia refuses to restore, saying that their essence would be lost. And perhaps she's right.