Travel · Sleep

Casa Cal · Puerto Escondido, Mexico

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Name: BAAQ’ Arquitectura
Project: Casa Cal
Images: Edmund Sumner
Words: Devid Gualandris

A heaven on the Oaxacan coast, ‘Casa Cal’ is a beach house distinguished by its modern design, natural surrounding environment, and views towards the Pacific Ocean. With an elevated pool and a thatched roof, the Mexican holiday villa is a secluded respite off the beaten path, and primed for privacy.

The holiday home is part of a cluster of eight houses in the coastal community of Santa Elena, near Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca—a popular destination for adventurers and beach lovers, and known as the Mexican surfing mecca. Designed by Mexico City-based studio BAAQ, the two-storey villa is characterized by contrasting facades, concrete slabs and latticework, raised patios and roof structures covered with layers of dried palm leaves—an homage to the typical open-sided dwellings of the region, the Palapas. Up to ten guests can enjoy the stillness of the natural outdoors in the five bedrooms on the ground floor, as well as panoramic views from the second level, which is dedicated to the living and common areas. The highlight of ‘Casa Cal’ is the pool, shaped as a concrete cube in the middle of the house’s top floor. It is raised up to allow residents to savor the spectacle and breeze of the Pacific ocean in complete privacy.