Growing up between Sardinia, Milan, Buenos Aires, and Uruguay, Jasmine absorbed a rich palette of cultural and architectural influences, which find their way into the retreat’s aesthetic. Chief among her inspirations is Alberto Ponis, the Italian architect who designed her childhood home in Sardinia—a structure that blends into the rugged coastal landscape as if born from the earth itself. “That seamless integration with nature is the guiding principle for the interiors I love, and now my design,” Jasmine explains. At Nua Nakūi, this philosophy translates into structures crafted from locally sourced stone, wood, and onyx, all materials chosen for their ability to age gracefully and meld with the surrounding environment.

Catering up to four guests at a time, the retreat comprises two main structures connected by an outdoor seating area. Grand in scale yet understated in proportions, the primary building houses the social areas. Featuring high ceilings and thick walls, the light-filled spaces exude a sense of openness, while numerous private reading and relaxing nooks encourage self-reflection. A massive tree root over two meters tall, salvaged from the roadside and painstakingly transported, serves as a sculptural focal point in the living room while a reflecting pool separating the living and dining spaces, which guests can step across thanks to carefully placed boulders, creates moments of tactile reflection.

The second structure, affectionately dubbed the “stone house,” is a master suite built from beige-hued rocks collected hours away in Baja’s rugged peninsula. Its centrepiece is a 100-square-metre covered patio, complete with hammocks strung between stone columns, offering unobstructed views of the Pacific’s golden sunsets. Inside, the bathroom is a sanctuary in itself featuring a hand-sculpted bathtub, double shower, sauna, and resting nook overlook the herb farm, grounding guests in the natural rhythms of the land. “In Ayurveda, the daily routine, or Dinacharya, is essential,” Jasmine notes. “The bathhouse is designed as an expression of this lifestyle.”

Colour plays a pivotal role in the retreat’s ambiance. Here, Jasmine opted for a monochromatic palette of whites, eggshells, creams, and the lightest beiges to evoke purity while layering textures to create warmth and depth. The result is a dwelling that feels both expansive and intimate, minimalist yet full of life. This restraint extends to the furnishings, nearly all of which are custom-made or hand-sourced. Jasmine personally designed the limestone sink in the kitchen, chipping away at the stone by hand to achieve a rustic, imperfect feel. She collaborated with local carpenters to craft the large dining table and round benches, and the paintings adorning the walls are her own creations. Even the smallest details—vintage faucets, second-hand lamps, and raw wooden slabs propped up by stones—were chosen to honour the retreat’s ethos of authenticity and sustainability.

Quirky, unexpected details add character to the retreat, reflecting Jasmine’s playful design sensibility. A small, seemingly misplaced window, a rock inlaid at a slightly off-kilter angle, and an oversized staircase bordered by stone piles evoke the imperfections of old-world craftsmanship. “I’m drawn to the beauty of the unusual,” Jasmine says. “New constructions rarely have that soulful character that older buildings naturally possess.”

But beyond its design, Nua Nakūi is a place of transformation. Jasmine’s bespoke Ayurvedic cleansing and fasting programs are at the heart of the experience, drawing on the herbs cultivated on-site to create remedies and treatments. The retreat’s holistic approach to wellness mirrors its architectural philosophy: both are rooted in the belief that true healing happens when we slow down, reconnect with nature, and embrace simplicity.

From its soaring rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the ocean and mountains to the lap pool where guests can swim under the Baja sun, Nua Nakūi is a testament to Jasmine’s meticulous attention to detail and her unwavering vision as well as a living embodiment of her journey and values. “Visiting El Pescadero reminded me of another place I had spent a lot of time in while growing up: José Ignacio in Uruguay,” she reflects. “I saw potential for a raw, untamed way of life.” Through Nua Nakūi, she has realized that potential, creating a space that honours the ancient ways while offering a path forward for modern wellness.