Organic House by Javier Senosiain: a Demonstration of Tranquility Through Aesthetic Design
Organic architecture is a type of architecture that aims to combine human habitation needs with nature. This building philosophy focuses on creating harmony between people and nature, as they are a part of it. The result of this architectural current is composed of various unique and breath-taking buildings all around the globe.
One of the most successful organicists is Javier Senosiain, who built some of the world’s most eye-catching yet functional organic buildings. His most renowned work of art is the Casa Orgánica in Mexico. In this article, we’ll show you how Senosiain’s architecture demonstrates tranquility through aesthetic design.
Who Is Javier Senosiain?
Before presenting Senosiain’s work, it’s crucial to learn some things about the mind behind the project. This way, fully appreciating his architecture becomes simpler.
Javier Senosiain was born in Mexico City, Mexic, in 1948. From an early age, Senosiain dedicated himself to art and participated in the local art community. Also, he took inspiration from natural shapes such as peanuts, snakes, mushrooms, and more. As a visionary, he would later use those natural shapes in his unique architecture.
He studied at the University of Mexico (UNAM) and started working as an architect around 1972. At first, he experimented with different architectural styles, and then he found his true calling: organic architecture. This movement was just forming at the time, but Senosiain helped it develop and is now one of the most significant exponents.
Senosiain thought about reconciling humans and nature through warm, curved, and cozy buildings. His work also praises environmentally sustainable solutions and innovative ways to insert smart living in urban areas. Barragán and O’Gorman influenced him to develop wide and eco-friendly architecture, with a particular sense of aesthetic, which mimics the natural shapes. Senosiain also loves using local materials and creativity to make his buildings look like voluminous yet harmonic and habitable creatures. Lastly, he wished for the internal space to be comfortable and functional.
Today, Javier Senosiain has written two books about his architectural philosophy: Arquitectura Organica and Bioarquitectura. He also teaches architecture and design at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Moreover, he is the founder of The Organic Architecture firm, which designs organic buildings like houses, offices, and factories.
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Casa Orgánica: An Aesthetic Oasis Of Serenity In Nature
One of the most famous works is the one and only, Casa Orgánica, translated in English as Organic House. This magnificent house dates to 1985 and could be considered as the manifesto of the organic architecture movement. It’s a museum and can be visited in Naucalpan de Juárez, in Mexico City. Before, Senosiain himself and his family lived there.
The shape of a peanut was the model of the structure: it has two wide, oval areas connected by a narrow corridor. The living areas are packed with natural light, while the space connecting them is darker.
At the same time, the house gives the feeling of being integrated into the mother earth in a cozy and protective womb. Nevertheless, the “casa” isn’t all underground: the large windows are portals for the sun to shine inside the house, so there is plenty of light. They also offer a peek into the rich and wonderful garden that continues on the top of the building. In fact, most of the building mimics itself, just like a rabbit or butterfly would: the house appears as a green dune, wrapped in plants, musk, flowers, bushes. The few things attracting attention are the eyes of the hibernating creature (the widows) and the shark-like structure of one side of the house.
Because of its flawless integration into the landscape, the house might seem small. However, this is just an illusion. The building covers 174 square meters or 1,873 square-foot, which is more than enough for comfortable living.
Moreover, the inside is decorated using a warm and natural palette, with a minimalist touch: the beige covers the walls and the floors since the carpet is ton-sur-ton. The inside of the house is smooth and curved but spacious and simple, while the sharp angles are inexistent.
image © wikimedia
Organic House: A Walk-Through
After entering the house and descending the stairs, you can find a cave-like hall. There are three different tunnels: two lead to the private areas and one to the living side of the house.
The living room is a spacious and light area with very few items that match the color palette: a wooden coffee table, a suspended bubble chair, and another in the shape of a closing palm. In addition, there is a polyurethane bench that adapts to the sitter, regardless of their weight or preferred position. When it’s sunny and warm, the windows can be flipped outwards to let the fresh air enter the house.
In this area of the residence, there’s a kitchen with a sink, custom shelves, and burners, which is exactly what a kitchen needs. Also, this section includes a dining place around the curved counter of the kitchen.
After taking the right tunnel, the first sleeping area contains a variety of nooks for clothing and a comfortable, long, and brown bench. This unique sofa evolves into a round bed. Meanwhile, the bathroom features a beautiful sink and shower. Here we find a few wooden elements: the sink decoration and the shower door.
A few years later, another double bedroom was created, a TV room, and an office. The last one is upstairs, and it’s all accessible through the left tunnel.
image © wikimedia
Organic House: The Wonderful Garden
Previously, we mentioned the nature that surrounds this oasis. However, it deserves an in-depth look.
A good 60% of the house is covered with a green “carpet” and decorated with bushes, flowers, and various plants. People can walk on the roof of the building as if they’re climbing up a hill.
Moreso, there are two practical reasons for the immense quantity of vegetation:
Privacy. The tall bushes and splendid trees hide the property from curious eyes.
Air filtering. The urban houses are known for not receiving fresh air, and that’s why Senosiain built a living barrier to purify the air. Also, it’s good for keeping the house from overheating during hot months and keeping UV lights out of the way. But there’s more: vegetation can filter dust and chemicals too, which in urban settings is a privilege.02:49
The Project of Casa Orgánica
As specified, the structure merges natural shapes like peanuts, sharks, snakes, mushrooms, and more. Also, the spaces took the form of wombs, caves, and igloos.
So, the house has everything that a human needs, according to Javier Senosiain: a place to live and to be with others. Therefore, the project identified the necessary living requirements while using some of the principles of open space for the living areas.
Senosiain used an iron skeleton and cement, making the building sturdy and durable. In addition to that, he used white cement and marble powder to coat it.
The windows are south-faced, which means that the entering light is the absolute maximum.
The flowy shape of the building aids ventilation.
image © wikimedia
How To Bring Some Of Casa Orgánica Into Your Own Home
Looking at this beautiful creation, demonstrating tranquility through aesthetic design, it’s so hard not to want to live in it. Unfortunately, it’s a museum, and even if it weren’t, it would most likely sell quickly. So, here are some guidelines for turning your home into a more organic house without moving or building your custom house:
Bring nature inside. The key of casa orgánica is making the human living area seem part of nature. So, bring plants into your home, garden, and balcony. You can opt for air-purifying plants that filter the polluted city air. Moreover, plants reduce depression through visual exposure to green.
Choose more rounded furniture. As seen, the organic house is flowy, curvy, and round. Therefore, you could try to reduce your furniture and swap it for more rounded shapes. For example, you can add rounded cushions and curvy vases in neutral ceramic. If you are one of those freelancers, A writers, or accountants, you might benefit from a curvy desk chair that offers lumbar support.
Opt for neutrals. If you want to tie everything together, paint your walls in a warm neutral color. Then, try to match the shade with a cozy neutral carpet.
Last Words On Casa Orgánica
Senosiain’s organic house is a brilliant, eco-friendly house in the heart of nature, and it’s now a museum for innovative urban planning. If you wish to take some of that into your home, try adding plants, neutral colors, and round shapes.
Author’s Bio: Daniel Normand is a skilled journalist and freelancer working for Ninjaessays and a few blogs. Daniel adores talking about interior design, home improvements, and other related topics. When he isn’t involved in some DIY project, Daniel loves to take care of his body exercising, stretching, or getting a fresh haircut.
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