Inside San Miguel’s Next Show-Stopping Custom Home: Grand Foyer, Spiral Staircase & Poolside Catwalk
Imagine stepping through a double-height grand foyer, glancing upward to see a sculptural spiral staircase twisting toward the sunlight, and catching a glimpse of a sleek catwalk above a sparkling courtyard pool. Now imagine this vision set against the timeless charm of San Miguel de Allende’s colonial skyline.
Introduction
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico—famed for its cobblestone streets, baroque architecture, and vibrant cultural scene—is about to welcome a bold newcomer to its roster of extraordinary homes. Building on Both Sides of the Border, a local design-build firm with a reputation for blending architectural heritage and modern livability, has unveiled plans for an L-shaped, two-story residence that manages to honor tradition while delivering high-impact contemporary features.
This home isn’t just designed to look good on a magazine cover—it’s engineered for comfort, efficiency, and smart spending. And with construction expected to break ground this fall, it’s already generating buzz among design-savvy locals and expats alike.
The Vision: Architectural Highlights
Grand Arrival
The journey begins at a double-height foyer that immediately floods the space with light and grandeur. Your eyes are drawn upward by a dramatic spiral staircase—a functional work of art that serves as the home’s central sculptural element.
Breathing Space & Courtyard Life
An open-air central hallway encircles a private courtyard, framed by traditional stone arches. This nod to historic centro architecture isn’t just aesthetic—it maximizes natural airflow and invites cross-ventilation, a perfect passive cooling strategy for San Miguel’s climate.
The Pool-Side Catwalk
From the second floor, a sleek walkway hovers above the courtyard pool, offering panoramic views of the interior oasis and peeks of the surrounding nature beyond the property walls.
Sight-Lines & Sunlight
Strategic placement of oversized windows and doorways channels morning sunlight deep into the living spaces, blurring the boundary between indoors and outdoors.
Next-Round Refinements in Progress
Enclosed Breezeway + Mud Room: A covered link from the carport to the foyer would double as a mud room, perfect for storing muddy boots, groceries, and shielding residents from summer rains.
Courtyard Expansion: Designers are considering reducing the outer lawn slightly to enlarge the courtyard—boosting both privacy and natural light without inflating costs.
Budget-Smart “Wow Factor”
Modular Structural Elements: Repeating arch templates reduce custom masonry hours, saving on labor.
Local Materials: Using cantera stone and reclaimed timber from nearby suppliers keeps transportation costs low and supports the local economy.
Passive Climate Strategy: The chimney effect of the courtyard design naturally regulates temperature, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling and cutting energy bills over time.
Closing
This upcoming San Miguel residence represents a new chapter in colonial-modern fusion architecture—one that respects the city’s historic character while embracing the needs and tastes of today’s homeowners. It’s the kind of project that not only stands out now but will age gracefully, becoming part of San Miguel’s architectural story.
Design Journey
If this blend of dream, design, and deliver inspires you, see how we bring custom home visions to life in Mexico. Explore our design philosophy here:
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