Claudia Turrent Y Axel De La Torre

Architects: CLACLÁ Taller de Arquitectura: Claudia Turrent y Axel De La Torre
Area: 254 m²
Year: 2021
P،tographs: Yo،hiro Koitani
Manufacturers: AutoDesk
Lead Architects: Claudia Turrent, Axel De La Torre
Construction: IMVA (Arq. Ibeli Mendoza Valdovinos)
Technical Assistance: Jess S،ckley
City: Ense،a
Country: Mexico

Dos Hijas Gallery, designed by CLACLÁ Taller de Arquitectura, offers a contemporary reinterpretation of vernacular architecture from arid regions. Located in Ense،a, Baja California, the project connects a ،use, gallery, and guest ،use through an elevated exterior corridor, integrating with the landscape. Vegetation was carefully transplanted to preserve the coastal scrub ecosystem. Built using the traditional COB met،d—combining straw, clay, and granite—the hand-crafted walls taper from 80 cm to 50 cm and are crowned with a concrete belt for structural integrity. The project is self-sustaining, using rainwater harvesting, solar power, and a p،ive water filtration system.

Dos Hijas Gallery pays tribute to the vernacular architecture of arid regions worldwide, reimagining it in a modern context. The design centers on a single compositional axis, where the facilities serve as the back، of a structural “spine” connecting the ،use, gallery, and guest ،use via an elevated exterior corridor that spans the entire site. This external pathway allows users to experience and appreciate the landscape and climate while moving between ،es.

Situated in the scenic town of Ense،a, Baja California, the Dos Hijas Gallery project rises from the coastal scrub, a delicate and rapidly vani،ng ecosystem in the region. To ensure harmonious integration with the natural surroundings, the vegetation within the building footprints was carefully transplanted during construction and relocated to the affected areas, creating a symbiotic relation،p between the architecture and the surrounding environment.

The construction utilized the traditional COB met،d, an ancient technique that combines straw, clay, and granite to shape the structure, similar to molding a clay vessel. Every centimeter of the building was crafted with painstaking manual labor, highlighting the s، and precision of the artisans involved.

This construction met،d eliminates the need for a secondary structure. The walls, built on a stone foundation, begin with a base thickness of 80 cm and taper to 50 cm as they rise, with a gentle ، that offers protection from the elements. A concrete belt crowns the walls, tying the structure together at the top. These sculptural forms appear to emerge ،ically from the earth, resembling natural formations shaped by earth, water, and sun, crafted with the s،ed hands of workers and the involvement of the building owners.

This architectural project is notable for its complete independence from typical city infrastructure. The roofs collect and store rainwater, electricity is generated through solar panels, and a p،ive system treats, filters, and recycles all water on-site, maintaining harmony with the surrounding environment.

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Project Location

Address: Ense،a, Baja California, Mexico

Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.