sculptural helical staircase adorns this 1910 colonial-style villa turned hotel in mexico

located on a beautiful plot of coastal promenade in the historic center of la paz, mexico, max von werz arquitectos reveals baja club; a 32-room lifestyle hotel for hoteliers grupo habita. blending old with new, the project brings together the restoration and adaptive reuse of a pre-existing colonial-style villa dating from 1910 as well as the construction of a newly built four-story extension containing guestrooms, suites, a spa, and a rooftop sunset bar.

images by césar béjar
baja club is located on a plot of coastal promenade in the historic centre of la paz

the new figure by max von werz arquitectos echoes the l–shaped floor plan of the villa resulting in an ensemble that loosely frames a central courtyard, home to several fragrant frangipani trees while isolating a series of more tranquil gardens and patios along the perimeter of the site. throughout the project, the material palette draws on the property’s original detailing, including artisanal terrazzo and talavera tiles, hand-finished timber latticework and carpentry, and blown glass lamps in transparent and amber tones.

the material palette throughout the hotel draws on the property’s original detailing

the tiered massing of the extension reduces its visual bulk and provides generous terraces enjoying panoramic views of the bay of la paz. subtle nautical connotations such as the new build’s horizontal streamlining and the use of prominent wood elements throughout the project play on the maritime context of the hotel. vertical circulation is resolved in form of a generous helical staircase positioned at the hinge point between the two wings of the new building. it’s an almost sculptural element and the centerpiece of the addition.

bathrooms feature traditional mexican talavera tiles and bronze accessories

cantilevered reinforced concrete floor plates lend further lightness to the building and in turn serve as outdoor corridors, balconies, and passive shading elements reducing solar heat gain and the dependence on mechanical air conditioning. the project preserves the majority of landscaped areas and native vegetation as they existed in the pre-existing residential property.

once visitors pass through the villa the new build reveals itself as a moment of surprise

the old property walls with their large–format antique brickwork were preserved in their entirety. a new pool is located in one of the peaceful outer courtyards. large brick platforms conceived by the landscape designers paar continue the language of the massive brick property walls and accommodate potted plumerias and sunbeds with a view to the swimming pool finished in the smooth artisanal mexican stucco chukum.

guest room terraces on the first floor are articulated as intimate patios

curved timber bulkheads frame the new building’s sunken balconies

the old property walls with their large–format antique brickwork were preserved in their entirety

vertical circulation is resolved by means of a sculptural helical staircase

wayfinding signage is part of the graphic identity designed by policestudio

the rooftop bar with panoramic views of the bay of la paz feels like the deck of a ship

project info:

name: baja club hotel

architects: max von werz arquitectos

location: la paz, baja california sur, mexico

area: 3,623 sqm (3,8997.64 sqft)

photography: césar béjar

client: grupo habita

interior design: jaune

lighting design: luca salas

landscape design: paar

graphic identity: policestudio

structural engineering: ricardo camacho

service engineering: taller2m general

contractor: gran visión construcción

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.