Decayed home in historic Merida reborn as the turquoise-tinted Casa Remate

Secluded behind a quiet turquoise wall in the historic center of Merida, Yucatán is the recently renovated Casa Remate. Local design firm, <a href="http://www.asarquitectura.com/es/">AS Arquitectura</a> began work on the home years ago, slowly transforming the once-decaying building into a sophisticated <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/minimalist-design/">minimalist design</a> centered around a breath-taking courtyard.

Considering that the building is located in a historic part of Merida, the architects had to work with the existing structure.

For building materials, the architects once again went with tradition, choosing a polished white cement for the exterior stairs and terraces, which contrasts nicely with the textured exterior walls.

Working within those building restrictions, the design called for focusing on creating a soothing interior space that leads to the heart of the home: the central courtyard.

Like many traditional colonial constructions in Mexico, the living quarters revolve around a central patio, which, in return, brings in optimal natural light and ventilation to the home.

The design team chose to convert thecentral space into a welcoming, open-air living area, which was respectfully designed to "maintain the sense of serenity, silence, intimacy and surprise that has characterized the colonial homes of our city. "

The renovation process also called for adding a new wing to the design, which now houses the kitchen, bathroom and extra bedroom.

On the very top of the building is also a large rooftop terrace, which serves as a private refuge with incredible views of the historic center.

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