Project Name
Casa Ohana
Location
Puerto Escondido OAX
Mexico
Area (sqm)
810
Completed
December 2023
Detailed Information
Project NameCasa OhanaLocation
Puerto Escondido OAX
Mexico
Area (sqm)810
CompletedDecember 2023

Located in Puerto Escondido on Oaxaca’s pacific coast, Casa Ohana by Mexico City-based architectural practice VERTEBRAL is a paragon of summer living that exists in genuine harmony with nature. The eight-bedroom house subverts the beachside villa paradigm by embracing a human-scaled approach, consisting of a series of loosely connected, low-slung structures that seamlessly blend into the landscape. At the heart of the design, a stepped outdoor living area makes the most of the available views and cooling sea breeze, while a series of stand-alone suites offer privacy and tranquillity, each featuring its own lush courtyard. Minimalist in aesthetics, the house enhances, rather than competes with, its setting, offering an experience of true connection with the beach and its surroundings.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Constructed from a blend of concrete and locally sourced materials, the house adopts an earthy colour palette that echoes its natural setting. The fragmented building configuration in combination with use of local vegetation which flows uninterrupted through the structure further integrates it into the landscape.

The layout of Casa Ohana centres on an outdoor living area that unfolds on three levels, with each level dedicated to a specific function: a pool for relaxation, a living area for socializing, and a dining area for shared meals. Designed to offer protection from the rain and the sun, the space maintains a porous relationship with its surroundings, with no walls obstructing views of the beach on the one side and the Oaxacan mountains on the other. This configuration also enhances non-man-made ventilation, creating a cooling effect that extends to the suites at the rear of the property, reducing the need for artificial climate control. It also allows for the accommodation of a ‘hidden’ kitchen which is wedged below the highest level at the back of the space.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Two stand-alone structures are located on either side of the communal area, thoughtfully setback for privacy, each housing a master bedroom with stunning beach views. The remaining private quarters are spread across five pavilions at the back of the property. While these pavilions may lack ocean views, they more than make up for it with private gardens that offer a sense of seclusion and tranquillity. Each suite is also equipped with an ensuite bathroom that opens to a private courtyard, ensuring that every space is enveloped by vegetation. This arrangement fosters a serene atmosphere, allowing residents to enjoy their own personal retreats while still being connected to the communal living areas.

Enveloped in smooth concrete surfaces and wood furnishings, the pared-down, minimalist interiors allow Mother Nature to take centre stage while enhancing the architects’ vision for a tranquil, immersive environment, where luxury is found not in excess but in the simplicity and beauty of living in harmony with nature.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

Photography by Cesar Belio.

A Minimalist Retreat on Mexico’s Pacific Coast: Embracing Beachside Living in Harmony with Nature

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