Architects: Agustín Hernández Navarro
Year: 1973
Photographs: Felipe de Hoyos, Julius Suliman
Type: Private House
City: Mexico City
Country: Mexico
The Amalia Hernández House, designed by Agustín Hernández Navarro in 1973, was created for his sister, renowned dancer and choreographer Amalia Hernández. The house merges rigid geometric forms with organic, curvilinear shapes, reflecting the architect’s unique exploration of space and symbolism. Inspired by 16th-century Mexican convents, the home features sacred uses of light and color to evoke peace and emotion. The design also draws from the spiral structure of nautilus shells, with the interior divided into sections that create fluid, organic forms. This combination of soaring volumes and warm, sensuous shapes gives the house a monumental yet light appearance, blending tradition and modernity.
In 1973, Agustín Hernández Navarro completed a house for his sister, Amalia Hernández, a renowned dancer, choreographer, and founder of the Ballet Folklórico de México. The design showcases a playful juxtaposition of forms, with rigid geometry intersecting more organic, curvilinear shapes.
Today’s architecture has to have something from yesterday, but much more of tomorrow.
– Agustín Hernández Navarro
A lesser-known aspect of Mexican architect is his poetic work, Gravity, Geometry and Symbolism, where he explores space through concepts like “the fear of vacuums” and the interplay between “positive light and negative shadows.” In these writings, Hernández provides insight into his creative process, explaining how he draws inspiration from symbols found in pre-Columbian archaeological sites and monumental structures of historical significance.
For Amalia Hernández’s house, he drew inspiration from 16th-century convents in Mexico City. He introduced color and light into the interior in a sacred manner, aiming to evoke a sense of peace and comfort. The architect strongly embraced the belief that spaces have the power to evoke emotions.
My sister wanted a convent-like house, with reclusive, compartmentalized rooms, so we toured a bunch of convents. That’s how I arrived at details like ocular openings, which were my interpretation of 16th-century windows.
– Agustín Hernández Navarro
The design of the house was also influenced by the spiral shape of nautilus shells, which are divided into chambers. Inspired by this form, Hernández divided the interior into sections that generate flowing, organic shapes. This approach allowed him to incorporate sensuous curves, contrasting with the sharp angles typical of his own studio. He also employed creative methods to illuminate the inner gardens, enhancing the fluidity and natural feel of the space.
The house exudes a sense of lightness, with volumes that seem to soar or float, yet it remains distinctly monumental and sharp. On closer inspection, many of the forms are sensual and warm, defying gravity and adding a unique blend of delicacy and strength to the structure.
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Project Location
Address: Mexico City, Mexico
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
