esrawe studio plans a house of pure architectural forms in mexico's yucatán jungle

esrawe studio presents its proposal for ‘casa SB’, a retirement home situated outside mérida in yucatán, mexico. the design carefully considers yucatán’s lush jungle setting, responding to requirements of climate, comfort, materiality, and respect for the environment. the dwelling also seeks to highlight the pre-hispanic history of the place and the clients’ passion for art deco style.

images by joel flores and emanuel miramontes

casa SB is planned for a photographer and an expert mixologist. with the couple’s love for art deco in mind, esrawe studio carried out an exhaustive study of its distinctive elements such as composition, harmony, pure forms, ornamentation, and ancestral references, in which mayan culture was essential for the movement’s inspiration according to oriana baddeley in her publication, ancient mexican sources of art deco. aiming to promote these traces of inspiration and memory, the architects generated a contextual architecture that is both contemporary and evocative.

the program is arranged into four volumes in a cross shape divided by a central courtyard. based on the understanding of sunlight and the need for cross ventilation, this courtyard, covered in green ceramic mosaic, articulates the relationship between the volumes. it becomes the vestibule and access, and at the same time, delimits interaction between the social and private areas, generating fresh and shaded transition spaces, thus becoming the articulating axis of the project.

the large kitchen is equipped with the necessary elements to function also as a place for the exploration of mixology. within its double-height, the social area integrates a balcony for the photographer’s editing studio, allowing her to contemplate the jungle view while she works.

around these transition spaces, each volume, being independent, allows the articulation of different solutions for the program; changes in height, scale and configuration, bringing movement to the symmetrical expression of the project. this results in a dynamic program that offers diverse spatial experiences for the interior, and also favors natural ventilation and climate control without the need for air conditioning.

corners are curved to encourage cross ventilation and the volumes’ orientation frames green gardens to the north and south, while the sides remain sober to control the view towards the neighbors and to maintain privacy. four major deco elements are therefore reinterpreted: the curve, the vestibule, the symmetry, and the articulating center.

casa SB is framed and elevated on a foundation of local flagstone to enhance the continuity of the program, and a circular basin of the same stone refreshes the backyard to the south with flowing water. the façades are clad in chukum, an endemic tree of yucatan’s peninsula that was used by the mayans to make mortars and fine stuccos. the elevational treatment is also full of handcrafted elements, harmoniously composed windows, gargoyles, lighting niches, hammock fixtures, and large-format ziggurats.

large windows are made out of wooden structures and shutters to ensure optimum ventilation, light, and shade conditions. the typical art deco eaves are therefore tropicalized, with an honest response to the climatic and constructive conditions of the area. a terrace covered with brick-colored ceramic tiles allows the clients to enjoy the view of the jungle from the upper level.

project info:

name: casa SB

location: mérida, yucatán, mexico

architecture, interior design & furniture: esrawe studio

creative direction: héctor esrawe

architecture design team: ángel campos, laura vela lasagabaster, miguel hernández

furniture design team: alejandro ramírez, manuel bañó

total surface area: 368 sqm (3,961 sqft)

year: 2021

renders: joel flores, emanuel miramontes

scale models: alejandro uribe, david díaz

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom