La Pedrera Clubhouse is a building that contains the clubhouse of a development called Cola de Lagarto, located on the outskirts of the city of Atlixco, Mexico, in the state of Puebla. The environment in which the project is being developed is located within the Sierra del Tentzo, an area characterized by its semi-desert vegetation, comprising mostly acacias, yuccas, and wild grasses.

Dialoguing with the landscape

The project intentionally appropriates one of the hills located in the development. From there, it is not only possible to appreciate the golf courses, but also the imposing mountains that mark the beginning of the mountain range, as well as the Atlixco valley and the majestic Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl volcanoes.

This environment serves as the starting point for the project's approach, which responds with a circular floor plan that allows it to open up to all the aforementioned points. In addition, it concentrates the spaces for the activities of the clubhouse, such as a restaurant, leisure rooms, restrooms, and equipment in general.

A 360° concept

Conceptually, the project is resolved by means of a series of concentric skins grouped around the central space that constitutes the heart of the place, and where a water mirror is located.

The outer skin, which represents the first element of visual and tactile contact with users, is defined by a series of curved walls forged with stone from the region. These elements emerge from the ground in their different topographies and serve as structural support for the platform where most of the architectural program is planted, which was located at a level that allows another part of the building to be located underground, taking advantage of the topography of the hill.

Thus, the entire program is resolved on the ground floor and underground level, leaving the “tap”´ slab as a 360-degree viewing space, where an area for multiple uses of a temporary nature was allocated. An external perimeter corridor is located between the outer skin and the second ring. This corridor serves as a balcony for the restaurant, as well as a service area in other private areas of the program. 

This ring, consisting of a glazed façade, allows the integration of the interior spaces into the context, achieving optimal lighting of the interior areas. Between this second-glazed skin and the third inner ring, the specific areas required by the program were available.

Respectful details

The heart of the building is framed by a large oculus in the concrete slab, which allows the landscape elements to stand out, subtly indicating the presence of the property in the place.

A fundamental part of the building's concept was to maintain a scale that respects the context, and a materiality that would allow it to integrate into the patina of the place. The stone of the region, the exposed concrete in slabs and the walls, finished with flattening of tepetate (stone of region), will age with dignity, integrating the building into the context.