House of Tubes: A Fusion of Past and Present

Enrique Leal's Award-Winning Architectural Marvel

The House of Tubes draws its inspiration from the peaks of Mount Silla and the top of the old structure. The design aims to create a unity between these three elements, using water as the link that unites different timelines, concepts, uses, and histories. The pool serves as the unifying element, the water as the new soul of the house, and the cylinder as a container representing the old holding the new.

What sets the House of Tubes apart is its dual purpose. It serves as a residence for a family of five and as an art museum, with wide areas and high walls to accommodate more than 300 people. The design mimics the shape of Cerro de la Silla, the city's iconic mountain. The project uses only three finishes with light tones to make the spaces shine through the natural light projected on the walls, floors, and ceilings.

The house is composed of a steel structure and block-filled walls and inside durock with fiberglass insulation. The architect minimized the finishes to be used, opting for travertine marble, oak wood in a natural color, white paint finish on some walls and ceiling lights, and glass.

The property is located within the Guadalupe municipality, part of the Metropolitan area of Monterrey, Mexico. The project started in November 2017 and was completed in November 2019. The design process involved overcoming creative, technical, and research challenges to find the balance between the preexisting and the new.

Sustainability and energy efficiency were the goals of this project. LED lighting and a double-layer drywall system as insulation optimize the A/C system (28 SEER) and energy consumption. The house was built with a steel-based structure, a material totally and indefinitely recyclable. Using artificial grass reduces water consumption. Solar panels cover 80% of the energy needed to power the residence. Solar boilers avoid the use of electricity or gas to heat water. Rainwater is harvested with dedicated containers.

The House of Tubes was awarded Silver in A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2021, a testament to its outstanding expertise and innovation. This design, admired for its strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, showcases a remarkable level of excellence and introduces positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.