Architecture Wednesday: Casa Bautista

After last week’s desolate Outpost, I figured we could all use some sun and sand and surf, and so I’ve brought you to Casa Bautista, a Tulum, Mexico private eco-villa available for rentals, retreats, special events and weddings, that invites to experience truly sustainable luxury.

Located in the heart of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, Casa Bautista is roughly 3200 square feet of indoor-outdoor oceanside, jungle getaway. The L-shaped structure is supported on triangular pilotis, or piers, that blend into the jungle. The result is a construction that is Brutalist in character yet immersed in dense vegetation, with spaces that invite guests to experience a stay in peace and serenity.

The three floors of the residence are connected by a spiral staircase, with the ground floor for storage of water sports equipment. The main level houses five rooms— two master suites, two doubles, a studio and the main living-dining-kitchen area—with verandas along both sides. Close to the main bedroom is The Tower, which anchors the complex to its site, and provides a flexible space for work or meditation. The third level is the terrace, with a pool, barbecue and dining area with panoramic views.

The Tzalam wood—also known as Mayan Walnut—terraces and pergolas provide a sense of aesthetic warmth, create shade to protect from the sun, help establish cross-ventilation, and expand the indoor living spaces, while a folding mechanism protects the home from hurricanes and strong winds. In addition, the project prioritizes the use of sustainable solar and wind energy.

But it isn’t all eco-friendly, there is also an onsite concierge, personal chef and activities such as yoga sessions, massages and medicinal ceremonies for lovers of wellness.

It’s all about taking care of Mother Earth, and you.

As always, click to emBIGGERate …

 Amazing Architecture

Architecture Wednesday: Casa 7A

The challenge was to design a country house near Villeta, Colombia, high in the jungle at the top of a very steep hill where the weather is hot and dry year-round.

The house — some 6000 square feet — is basically just three rooms, along with a studio, and public spaces, with an expansive terrace and swimming pool. One caveat? The house must be able to be completely closed when not in use.

So the architects started with two basic elements in architecture: 

• The roof, which protects the home from the elements, while using the clean horizontal lines to frame the views and protect the home from sun and rain.
• And the patio which brings the interior and exterior together.

Towards the road, the house seems completely closed, providing privacy, but once you enter, via an intentionally low and narrow block, that perception changes. The house opens up through a patio that frames the views of the mountains; and, from the entrance, the platform that holds the social areas seems to float between the water feature at the entrance and the swimming pool at the back.

The social areas really seem to be one space, open towards the mountains on one side and to the entrance patio on the other. This space is defined by a second patio, framed by a void in the roof in which lives an Acacia, whose leaves shield one from the sun.

Towards the east, around the dining area, are the kitchen and service areas that appear as a lower block inserted under the main roof. To the west are the private areas, which face the mountains. For all the areas of the house, public and private, timber screen panels are used to slide, or pivot, allowing one to close off a space, or open it up to the outside.

The house is oriented north-south, taking advantage of the views and allowing for the swimming pool and terrace areas to have permanent exposure to the sun, morning and afternoon, without being interrupted by the shadow of the house.

It’s just a vacation house, in the middle of nowhere, but what a vacation you could have there!

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