PALMA offsets 2 curved concrete volumes for ‘chiripa’ building in mexico

PALMA experiments with an undefined typology in Sayulita

For their latest project, the architects at PALMA wanted to see how different users would interact with one another in a hybrid building that’s part house, part hotel. Named ‘Chiripa’, this four storey complex overlooks the Bay of Sayulita on Mexico‘s Pacific coast. Comprised of six units, the spaces can be used in various configurations depending on the needs of visitors, meaning the way in which the building is inhabited is constantly changing.

To design Chiripa, PALMA’s main goals were to obtain the best views of the bay while reducing the visual impact of the new structure. As such, the team created two volumes placed facing each other and offset in opposite directions to allow for unobstructed views, privacy, cross ventilation and natural lighting. To lessen the imposing scale of the complex, they built two of the four floor levels into the sloping site so they can’t be seen from the street. The architects also left the concrete beams and slabs exposed but applied off-white stucco onto the walls to create a neutral backdrop for the shadows cast by the surrounding vegetation.

images by Luis Young

Chiripa is accessed at the top of the site, through a walkway that rises above the central garden, which serves as the entrance hall to the complex. At the end of the walkway is an open staircase, in the shape of a half circle, which serves both blocks. The two volumes are connected by a series of bridges overlooking the central garden on one side and the bay on the other.

Regarding the program, two common areas with kitchen and dining are located at access level (0) while the private rooms can be found on the upper level (+1) and lower levels (-1, -2). Every level boasts a covered, south-facing terrace, which become an extension of the common areas and bedrooms. Finally, on the rooftop, each of the two volumes has a terrace with a small pool to enjoy views of the ocean.

two volumes are placed facing each other and are offset in opposite directions