MLS ID: SMA6354 - Casa Atemporal

The dichotomy of it all – a modern house by Mexico’s contemporary geniuses in architecture and space design, in a prime location in a world-class city given a UNESCO world heritage award for its remarkable 16th-century architecture blending colonial and neoclassical styles – but here enter into a bespoke culmination of influences inspired by archeology, anthropology, the application of sacred geometry -  “Where all that is eternal transcends,” as designer Karima Dipp states, speaking of exterior and interior spaces that are aesthetically and energetically balanced as the ultimate promise of this timeless modern home that fuses the best of Asia, Europe, and Latin American design…capturing past, present and future visions for timeless function, efficiency, and beauty.  Each curated piece makes the home what comes with the purchase, fusing the unique mix of perfect and ‘imperfect’ style, as defined by Karima.

CASA ATEMPORAL is set in San Miguel’s historic ‘centro’ and one-hundred-year-old Parque Juarez is just outside the home’s door.  As you enter into the hush and serenity of the home, ascending into the harmony of the mesquite tree suburban garden knitting the homes’ two dynamic structures together.  Here find lacy shadows and fill the rock hand-hewn tub for star-gazing in this secret garden of ceremony-inspiring design and proportions by an architect and designer known for blending nature and art to create spaces that convey deeper meanings.

Leave the garden’s serenity and enter the main pavilion to encounter the home’s gathering space including the kitchen, dining, and living area designed in a seamless flow that contrasts light and dark in a perfectly proportioned setting kindling comfort and peace with high esthetic appeal in custom built furnishings and fittings, all hand-wrought, impeccably crafted and sourced from around the globe. Enter the powerful flow where all living areas open to a morning light Eastern garden and to the homes’ vast window wall of Western views, flanked with steel curtains with the desired result of each vista being unique and unrepeatable.

Continuing up the hidden staircase find an entire floor dedicated to the owner’s comfort and peace, wrapped into a harmony of privacy and quiet, calming coherence with sensual appointments including a custom-designed free-standing bed, carved rock 500-kilo soaking tub, and black marble bath.  Room width and height windows facing West from this pavilion bring the changing skies’ drama and moods into view, where balconies invite contemplation and revelation.

Guests' accommodations across the garden in the western building also experience the oasis of privacy for creativity and renewal in the two side-by-side ensuite living areas reflecting the cohesive design of the overall home, including their own balconies and expansive rooftop retreat. 

 From the main pavilion’s rooftop patio, the home’s premise of being its own world set-apart yet in the heart of the city is fully realized, from weathered wood gathering areas overlooking  the town’s colonial grace that surrounds this modern world dynamic structure in the historic center of it all – a new environment that is only available at CASA ATEMPORAL, which, as its designer Karmia Dipp says, “Is undoubtedly a place of inspiration and joy for its inhabitants every day.”

Architect and Designer Comment on Collaboration:

Architect Elias Rizo:  CASA ATEMPORAL was blended into the natural setting, keeping just enough height of the structure in building proportions so that each pavilion’s rooftop provides an unimpeded view of the surrounding cityscape and beyond. We wanted a petite forest in the middle of the house to separate one living pavilion from the other to let nature reside with breezes, birdsong, and waterworks flowing. As always, we sought harmony, and balance in beauty with all spaces bringing nature and sky scenes into the home using negative/positive space, dark/light in interior design to create structural interest and drama with shadow-play throughout the rooms all day.  San Miguel is an incredibly cultural city with a bustling lifestyle and often a sky full of fireworks; CASA ATEMPORAL is a calm island at its center.

Designer: Karima Dipp: The way of perceiving the aesthetics of spaces is common to Elias Rizo and myself and CASA ATEMPORAL is an example of this union of orientation and experience.  During this collaboration I was able to put my very personal seal on each detail, from furniture design to industrial design aspects, all aiming to be as ecologically seamless as possible.  The critical elements in our intention were lighting, use of materials, and how to enhance both the physical and emotional well-being of the owner and their friends and guests.  That the land was already a place of provenance, being owned by Olympic skater and international artist, Toller Cranston of Canada, was an inspiration to us. The completion of every home design project takes an average of two years and at the final reveal of CASA ATEMPORAL, the harmony and coherence of our joint vision created for all who entered into it many tears of joy and awe!