A warm and welcoming home that celebrates the client’s identity, La Posmoderna is a single-family residence in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. Undertaken by FMT Estudio, the renovation and extension transform a 1980s building with a complex, outdated floor plan in poor condition into a contemporary space that incorporates tropical elements and promotes family interaction.

The renovation prioritized spaciousness, illumination, and ventilation, addressing the challenges of the existing layout through a reorganised plan. The kitchen was expanded to become the central core of the house, seamlessly connecting to the terrace and swimming pool for improved natural light and airflow. The existing foyer was transformed into a pantry and wine cellar.

On the first floor, the bedrooms were reconfigured to incorporate robes and private bathrooms, providing added convenience and privacy. The staircase was modified with open railings that further enforced the feeling of spaciousness with structural alterations optimising the available space.

The living and dining areas effortlessly integrate with the terrace, garden, and entrance, creating a harmonious transition between indoors and outdoors. Generous green wrought-iron doors and windows accentuate the seamless connection, inviting the tropical breeze and natural light to permeate every corner of the home.

On the exterior, a two-story building with a sloped roof was constructed, harmonizing with the architectural language of the original house. The extension accommodates two additional studios, accessed via an exterior staircase that connects to the dining area on the ground floor. The former service room was transformed into a studio with a visual connection to the pool, providing a tranquil space for relaxation.

In pursuing sustainable design, La Posmoderna prioritises minimal intervention and eco-aware materials. The exterior floors and studio walls were made with clay bricks, while the kitchen was clad with matching tiles of the same material. Most walls retained their original finish, with only minor changes in paint.

Bathrooms were lined with marble, quartz was used in the kitchen, and polished white concrete was used on the floors and some walls. Timber louvres with mosquito screens were installed in the double-height dining and laundry areas to ensure adequate ventilation. The material choices throughout the residence create a harmonious blend of practicality and environmental consciousness.

Respecting the original character, certain architectural elements, such as ironwork windows and doors, entrance columns, and concrete cubes on the terrace, were preserved, uniting the old with the new.

In addition to the spatial renovation, La Posmoderna embodies the client’s character through thoughtful landscaping and colour choices. Trees from the region were planted to enrich the environment, providing shade and privacy. A warm, neutral colour palette was employed, accented by green ironwork. The facade balances privacy and glimpses of the outdoors through the design of the fence.

La Posmoderna is an expression of adaptation to the environment, offering a visual and sensory engaging experience. Its focus on family interaction transforms it into a home where architecture and life merge.

[Images courtesy of FMT Estudio. Photography by Amy Bello.]