Nua Nakūi: Jasmine Scalesciani-Hawken’s Handcrafted Ode to Wellness in Mexico

Words by Yatzer

11 February 2025

Nua Nakūi: Jasmine Scalesciani-Hawken’s Handcrafted Ode to Wellness in Mexico

Words by Yatzer

11 February 2025

Memorable Stays

El Pescadero, Mexico

Located on an eight-acre medicinal herb farm in El Pescadero, a tranquil village on Baja California Sur’s Pacific coast, Nua Nakūi is no ordinary wellness residence. Brought to life by Jasmine Scalesciani-Hawken, an Italian-Argentinian designer with a deep reverence for nature and craftsmanship, this intimate retreat is a soulful manifestation of her personal journey and visionary ethos. Drawing deeply from her childhood experiences in Italy and South America, Jasmine envisioned Nua Nakūi as a sanctuary where modern wellness meets ancient wisdom. Before laying the first stone, she spent two years regenerating the soil and planting trees, ensuring the land itself reflected her philosophy of harmony—a seamless integration of architecture, nature, and wellness. Solar-powered and entirely off-grid, the property embodies sustainability as much as it does serenity, offering a profound connection to the natural world.

Serene outdoor space featuring a minimalist white wall, palm fronds, tranquil pool water, and subtle stone elements under soft sunset light.

Photography by Amy Neunsinger.

Serene scene of a modern home beside a sparkling pool, framed by palm trees and a vibrant sky with wispy clouds.

Photography by Fernando Marroquin.

Modern house with stone and white walls, surrounded by greenery and palm trees, featuring a rooftop garden and staircase. — Photography by Amy Neunsinger.

A serene white staircase ascends against a soft beige wall, framed by grasses and a blue sky with wispy clouds.

Photography by Fernando Marroquin.

A scenic view of mountains under a pastel sky, with a thatched hut and lush greenery adorned with white flowers in the foreground.

Photography by Jasmine Scalesciani-Hawken.

A woman in a white dress stands near a serene pool in a modern, minimalist courtyard surrounded by white walls and greenery. — Photography by Jasmine Scalesciani-Hawken.

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.

A grove of tall palm trees silhouetted against a clear blue sky, surrounded by lush green grass and scattered vegetation. — Photography by Amy Neunsinger.

A modern white house with a pool, surrounded by olive trees, palms, and decorative pots, set in a tranquil landscape at sunset. — Photography by Amy Neunsinger.

A serene living space with natural light, featuring woven furniture, soft curtains, and earthy pottery on a round table. — Photography by Amy Neunsinger.

Bright and airy living space featuring woven chairs, a wooden table, soft cushions, and large windows draped in light curtains.

Photography by Amy Neunsinger.

Stylish interior featuring natural textures: woven chairs, a wooden table, a unique sculpture, and soft curtains bathed in sunlight.

Photography by Amy Neunsinger.

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.”

Interior view of a serene space with stone wall, decorative vase, dried plants, and elegant textiles, creating a calm atmosphere.

Photography by Jasmine Scalesciani-Hawken.

Bright, airy living room with wooden beams, natural decor, rattan furniture, and a view of a serene outdoor space through sheer curtains.

Photography by Jasmine Scalesciani-Hawken.

A modern bathroom with a stone wall, concrete bathtub, brass fixtures, and decorative elements like flowers, showcasing a minimalist design.

Photography by Jasmine Scalesciani-Hawken.

Stylish bathroom featuring a modern oval concrete bathtub, natural texture wall hanging, soft rugs, and light drapery.

Photography by Jasmine Scalesciani-Hawken.

A minimalist bathroom featuring a smooth, oval soaking tub, stone wall, decorative glass vase, and a cozy seating area.

Photography by Amy Neunsinger.

A stylish, sunlit bathroom features a smooth stone wall, a modern vanity with a brass faucet, and natural decor elements.

Photography by Jasmine Scalesciani-Hawken.

Cozy outdoor space featuring a stone table, plush couch, and natural stone columns surrounded by lush greenery and a large boulder. — Photography by Jasmine Scalesciani-Hawken.

A natural stone sink adorned with glassware and a bronze faucet, set against a rustic stone wall.

Photography by Amy Neunsinger.

A sunny kitchen featuring a stone wall, wooden table, and a countertop adorned with plants, glassware, and various kitchen items.

Photography by Jasmine Scalesciani-Hawken.

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.”

A woman walking in a sunny room with a stone wall, featuring a wooden table adorned with a decorative vase and various pots on shelves. — Photography by Fernando Marroquin.

Bright, modern kitchen featuring a stone wall, minimalist cabinetry, a wooden table, and natural light from a skylight above.

Photography by Jasmine Scalesciani-Hawken.

A rustic kitchen shelf displaying a stone bowl of purple flowers and pinecones, wooden dishes, and small glass jars filled with spices.

Photography by Jasmine Scalesciani-Hawken.

A serene bedroom featuring a white linen bed, natural stone wall, and a potted branch in a minimalist setting with soft, glowing light. — Photography by Amy Neunsinger.

A minimalist shower featuring a decorative wooden branch, beige towel, stone accents, and textured floor tiles against light-colored walls. — Photography by Amy Neunsinger.

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.