In architecture there is no definitive term to describe what the type of design of a house is like, since for each person there is a different concept of what it is to have a home. For some people, the type of design is to simply have four walls and a roof that has lighting and a bioclimatic environment of comfort in which they can establish their activities such as rest, recreation, work and study. But over time our activities have changed and sometimes each family has its own way of living and taking advantage of the different environment of their own home, they even transform it as time passes and age advances.

For this reason you cannot design a house with a program or an application. It is not about generating a series of plans with measurements and names of each of the areas, and it is not about plagiarizing from analogous examples some plans already made to provide a housing design; since generally the user would be adapting to these spaces. And the act of designing implies that the architect attends to the client's needs and develops skills such as listening and understanding with empathy the needs, aspirations and life perspective of his clients to understand through a series of reflections what are the specific solutions that the project needs, thinking not only in the current context but also in the future. Behind this environment is also added a budget, development time, construction process, availability of materials, as well as a real estate context of capital gains, where the character of the project and the architectural style of the architect also intervene. As can be seen, the design process is complex, which is why I reiterate the infeasibility of using an application or artificial intelligence that solves important human needs that depend on a life investment.

The architect is the agent in charge of advising, guiding and solving the economic, spatial, structural, constructive and other problems mentioned above so that the client, whether or not he is the protagonist of the design process, has the professional support of a person who will be at his side to assist him and offer him a product that can last for generations. In the context of our country, Mexico, we have an economic and cultural diversity that is distributed by geographic regions, in which we find various types of designs, styles, functionalities and distribution. Below, these are the 10 most representative types of house designs from my point of view.

10 types of house designs

Ranch Style Homes

In Mexico they are designed in rural areas, mainly in the northern region, being functional and robust, with a simple but practical design, with walls made of ecological materials or blocks that protect the construction from extreme climatic factors. They specialize in durability rather than good design, some of them self-built, using adobe, wood and brick or concrete blocks, and are established on plots with large areas of land that can be used for agriculture and raising animals for consumption. They are generally on one floor and the rooms are spacious and have access to the outside, while the rest and work areas are defined to be separated from the other accesses.

Modular Houses

Generally applied by housing developers, they are built in series with prefabricated materials, offering flexibility in design and maximizing construction efficiency, using modern and durable materials, which reduce construction time, allowing expansion and adaptability of users. It is called modular because it is sometimes built with modular molds and its walls can be made of concrete, leaving the facilities drowned. Its design, although controversial for being simple, does not mean that it is boring, offering families with lower incomes to acquire a private property that optimizes the energy savings of its construction and possible customization in the future. Its distribution is traditional, with public areas on the ground floor and private areas on the upper floor, with options to add additional levels or modules as necessary. Some homes have small spaces, but there aretechniques and tipsthat they can take advantage of them and that they can improve the interior decoration.

Minimalist Houses

They present a simple and orderly design where priority is given to the user's most important needs. Generally, an architect is hired to maximize the surfaces and eliminate the use of corridors as best as possible, incorporating a vestibule that separates the public and private areas. Materials such as concrete, polished, glass, steel and aluminum are used, with neutral colors, obtaining more light, greater use of surfaces with a lower budget, generally distributing an open living-dining-kitchen concept on the ground floor and private areas (bedrooms and bathrooms) on the upper floor. Its facades are simple and meter or light colors are used for greater energy efficiency inside, however, the user is the one who adapts to the interior spaces when a property with these characteristics is acquired, since it was designed for a different family. Here you can find aarticlewhere the topic is explained in depth.

Ecological Houses

Generally, there are few authentic examples, since it is difficult to minimize the environmental impact, using sustainable materials and green technologies, such as solar panels, green roofs, rainwater collection systems, recycled materials and that are applied by local labor, harmonizing with the environment where it is located. Its distribution is open, integrating green areas, interior vegetation and public areas that connect with gardens, and private areas on the upper floor. An essential feature is its bioclimatic design and large windows that maximize sunlight during the day, although they require greater maintenance from users, as the house adapts to their sustainable lifestyle.

Mexican Colonial Houses

It refers to historical constructions from many years ago, generally with Spanish influences and with old materials such as adobe, brick, wood paneling, wooden beams, clay tiles and stone floors. They have very characteristic ornamental elements, such as arches, columns, balconies and long corridors, distributed with interior patios or central patios with fountains. Its slabs are high, since it has been customary to build them in warm climates and their dimensions are very large, as well as their wall thicknesses. In particular, I consider these houses to have a high bioclimatic level with high comfort and high profitability of purchase and sale.

Beach Houses

In Mexico they occur in hot and humid climates such as Cancun, Riviera Maya and Puerto Vallarta, with terraces, some with pools, cross ventilation, and moisture-resistant materials. The exterior spaces allow the enjoyment of the weather, as well as the views of the sea, facilitating air circulation to refresh the interiors, and an important feature is the use of eaves or overhangs to create shadows, generally using sloping roofs with tiles for protection and large windows that display the exterior views. The common areas are generally open on the ground floor, connecting with terraces and gardens, and the bedrooms on the upper floor have sea views, with ventilated bathrooms to prevent deterioration due to high humidity.

Hacienda Houses

Like the colonial houses, they have been built many years ago, and in addition, they are remnants of towns, where it was used as a center for agricultural activities until the 20th century. Its design includes very large patios with gardens and fountains, where the natural context is integrated with the interiors. Generally their roofs are sloping, with exposed beams that convey a rustic atmosphere where there is a lot of tranquility, since they are not found in urban environments. As for its distribution, the rooms are generally around interior patios and gardens, like Mexican colonial houses, and the workers' homes are separate.

California Style Houses

They have a historical link between Spain and Mexico, in which they combine Mexican colonial architecture with stone walls, using materials such as concrete, steel and wood, as well as the use of sloping roofs covered with clay tiles, blacksmith's details with wrought iron, light or neutral colors combining modernity with the past. They are generally located in rural residential or high-rise residential areas, integrating interior and exterior gardens, distributing with lobbies, common areas and private spaces, creating light environments with large windows and access to terraces. Unlike Hacienda Houses, these designs are modern.

Contemporary Houses

They generally refer to those designed or built in the 20th century. They have clean and geometric shapes, using materials such as partition, concrete, glass and steel, in addition to using primary colors and rough textures on walls, emulating the contemporary architecture created by Luis Barragán. They have high windows, durable materials in interior finishes and some combine interior lobbies and terraces, in addition to having a greater capital gain that is profitable for the sale.

Smart Homes

Being designed by an architect, the home is fully adapted to the needs of the user, incorporating technologies for control and automation, combining modern materials with low maintenance costs and a design that encourages connectivity, controlling lighting, climate and security with applications that are managed without supervision, using wireless networks that seek comfort and improve the quality of life. Its distribution avoids divisions that hinder connectivity, so its spaces are open on the floors, providing automated functions in private areas such as lighting with presence sensors, air conditioning, applyingaudio and video systemsintelligent. When these properties are sold, new users can hardly adapt to the ecosystem, which is why they can become obsolete over time.

Final considerations

Residential architecture in Mexico encompasses a vast universe of types of designs, styles and functionalities, reflecting our cultural, geographic and social diversity. From the simplest designs, such as colonial houses, to the advanced smart homes, each style has its own characteristics and can be combined to create a unique vernacular architecture that suits your tastes. An architect is not only a technician, but also an artist who can relieve the stress of bringing your ideas to life, being with you every step of the process, and ensuring that your project not only meets your expectations but also increases the capital gain of your property.

If you are interested in any style of home or have a unique vision for your home, I invite you tocontact me, I assure you that, with my extensive experience in architectural design, I can help you turn your ideas into projects. I have an extensiveportfolioof projects that you can consult to be inspired and find new ideas, some of my projects are a legacy that lasts for generations with the human and professional touch that only an architect can offer.

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