Mexican exotics: Casa Tulum on the highest point of one hills

 Zihuatanejo, Mexico

Architects: Zozaya Arquitectos

Architects in Charge: Enrique Zozaya Diaz

Design Team: Enrique Zozaya, Esthela Valenzuela, Luis Alonso, José Antonio Vázquez, Carlos Morales

Photography © César Belio

Casa Tulum seamlessly blends with its surroundings. Located on the highest point of one of Zihuatanejo's hills, Casa Tulum hides among the natural landscape. 

The project is configured from three bungalow-like volumes that surround a pool, which is understood as a guiding element and distributor of the house as a central courtyard. Private areas like bedrooms and bathrooms are housed in two units, while the main structure contains public spaces such as a living room, kitchen, dining area, and terraces. The fragmentation of the different architectural objects generates a play of voids between them, which become patios, terraces and gardens that are interconnected by walkways, stairs and staircases and lead to the main pool.

The two living spaces located to the north and west accommodate more private spaces, such as bedrooms, bathrooms and their respective terraces, while the third main element contains bedrooms on the first floor and public and social spaces such as living room, kitchen, dining room, terraces, bar and a large jacuzzi on the upper floor.

Interiors and exteriors merge, inviting the user to immerse himself in the nature of the place. The design emphasizes local materials like stone, palm roofs, and wood, creating a contextualized architecture. Warm tones dominate the color palette, adding to the welcoming ambiance.

Understanding the importance of respecting the natural environment and seeking to connect the user with the local way of life, the proposal is made from a stone structure and palm roofs with wooden structures. In this way, the house opposes the idea of generic and internationalist constructions, to emphasize the virtues of contextualized architectures with regional materials. Likewise, the interior and exterior color palette is based on warm tones, making it feel more welcoming and affable.