Before & After: In Mérida, a Blocky ’80s Home Turns Over a New Leaf

Stephen Zacks
·1 min read

FMT Estudio gives a stark and dated dwelling a playful renovation that embraces the sunny climate with lush courtyards and a poolside veranda.

FMT Estudio gives a stark and dated dwelling a playful renovation that embraces the sunny climate with lush courtyards and a poolside veranda.
FMT Estudio gives a stark and dated dwelling a playful renovation that embraces the sunny climate with lush courtyards and a poolside veranda.

In central Mérida, Mexico, a young family tasked Zaida Briceño and Orlando Franco of FMT Estudio with updating their bland and blocky 1980s home. The structure was in sound condition, although as the firm talked with the family about their lifestyle, the scope of the project grew.

Custom-made iron doors are painted in a mint green color carefully chosen with the clients.
Custom-made iron doors are painted in a mint green color carefully chosen with the clients.

FMT Estudio describes their design style as a sort of "ludic minimalism." "It’s not always playful to think about buildings," says Orlando. "This building is very serious, stark, and serene—so we thought about how people can be on the building, around the building, under the building, or move through the building, with colors and surfaces to support that." 

FMT Estudio renovated the pool deck with sanded red bricks manufactured in central Mexico.
FMT Estudio renovated the pool deck with sanded red bricks manufactured in central Mexico.
Red- and blue-pigmented cement augments the color palette of the courtyard.
Red- and blue-pigmented cement augments the color palette of the courtyard.

See the full story on Dwell.com: Before & After: In Mérida, a Blocky ’80s Home Turns Over a New Leaf
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