deture culsign creates cabin for eco-travelers in mexico

deture culsign have constructed a luxury wooden ‘treehouse suite’, located on the beach of a sustainable boutique hotel in juluchuca, mexico. the eco-friendly cabin — crafted in the shape of a large cylinder — is elevated off the forest floor by a series of bamboo supports, allowing the interior to float equidistant between the canopy above and the beach below. the design, which covers a total of 65 square meters, was conceived, created and open for guests within six months.

the villa floats equidistant between the canopy above and the beach below
image by leonardo palafox

deture culsign’s cabin is comprised of an open-air lower-level which houses the living space and bathroom, and an upper-level perch for the sleeping area. in conceptualizing the space, the studio envisioned a residence that would function as an extension of the surrounding landscape, rather than an addition. the result is a style that blurs interior and exterior, borrowing materials and aesthetics from the natural world. the villa’s palm-tree-pierced clay tile roof and exposed wood beams provide a textural ceiling for the lounge and bathroom. locally sourced wood is used to surface the interior’s countertops the sink is made from carved stone. in the shower, the graphic floor is created from hand laid pebbles and the roof is intentionally carved back so showering can be experienced as if outdoors, revealing palm trees by day and a blanket of stars by night. the cabin’s water supply is completely recycled, and is heated by solar panels which also provide electricity.

a floor hammock is installed in to the floor of the cabin, prime seats for watching the sun set
image by leonardo palafox

any superfluous elements are removed from the design to deliver an all natural, immersive retreat. minimal, locally made furnishings allow for unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape through the apertures on either end of the cylinder. the body of the cabin itself is scattered with small, wooden window hatches for peeking into the surrounding foliage and to support passive cooling. just in case the villa wasn’t tranquil enough, a square floor-hammock has been installed into the floor of the bedroom, enabling impassioned eco-travelers and curious explorers alike to hang loose at the end of a long day’s journey.

the body of the cabin is scattered with small, wooden window hatches to support passive cooling
image by leonardo palafox

the design borrows materials and aesthetics from the natural world
image by leonardo palafox

the cabin is comprised of a lower-level which houses the living space and an upper-level perch for the sleeping area
image by leonardo palafox

with an expedited schedule, it took 6 months from the initial design meeting to receiving the first guest
image by the cubic studio

locally sourced wood is used to surface the interior’s countertops
image by the cubic studio

a luxurious design that doesn’t cost the environment
image by the cubic studio

the studio envisioned a residence that would function as an extension of the surrounding landscape
image by the cubic studio

the cabin is powered entirely by solar panels
image by leonardo palafox

curtains can be drawn over the openings for privacy at nighttime
image by the cubic studio

project info:

project name: treehouse suite at playa viva sustainable boutique hotel
architecture and interior design firm: deture culsign, architecture+interiors (www.detureculsign.com)
location: playa icacos, juluchuca, guerrero, mexico
owner: david leventhal
management company: playa vivas de RL de CV
date project completed: october 2015
project schedule: expedited, only 6 months from design initiation to welcoming first guest
total square footage: 700sf / 65sqm
photographer: leonardo palafox & the cubic studio

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: peter corboy | designboom