palm fronds top bloqe arquitectura’s cluster of traditional houses along oaxaca coastline

a vocabulary of natural materials roots the project, including pigmented concrete, parota wood, palm fronds, and travertine marble.

ACOLECTIVA edited by ravail khan December 10, 2024 3 min

casa caiman reinterprets mexican vernacular

Nestled between the sea and the lagoon on the Oaxacan coast of Puerto Escondido, Mexico, Bloqe Arquitectura’s Casa Caiman sits within a cluster of low-lying, thatched roof modules. Part of a larger complex comprising three houses and 15 villas, as well as a beach club and restaurant, the project establishes a seamless dialogue with its environment while nodding to the vernacular architecture of the region.

A vocabulary of natural materials roots the project, including pigmented concrete, parota wood, palm fronds for the palapa roofs, and travertine marble — chosen for their simplicity, durability, and ability to age gracefully. Pigmented concrete walls, in particular, reflect and interact with natural light, producing dynamic visual effects throughout the day and enhancing the sensory experience of the spaces.

palm frond roofs top bloqe arquitectura's cluster of traditional houses along oaxaca coastline — all images by Rafael Gamo

Bloqe Arquitectura’s natural material palette roots the home

Casa Caiman, like each of its neighbors, is flanked by two concrete walls, creating a mediating space between two bays: one public and the other private. Rooms are connected to the outside through parota wood lattices, which allow the desired level of privacy to be adjusted without compromising air flow, while overall structures are elevated on platforms of varying levels, emphasizing the horizontal expanse of the surrounding landscape.

In addition to materiality, Bloqe Arquitectura’s architectural design fosters a strong connection with the coastal surroundings. Parota wood lattices allow the interiors to remain open to natural airflows while providing adjustable privacy. With this strategic layout and the use of open spaces, the Mexico City-based studio reinforces a sense of harmony between the built environment and the natural landscape.

casa caiman between the sea and the lagoon the project is inspired by the vernacular architectures of this coastal region in puerto escondido mexico by bloqe arquitectura 8 — the walls reflect and interact with natural light, enhancing the sensory experience of the spaces

palm fronds top bloqe arquitectura's cluster of traditional houses along oaxaca coastline - 1 — nodding to the region’s vernacular architecture

palm fronds top bloqe arquitectura's cluster of traditional houses along oaxaca coastline - 2 — part of a cluster of low-lying volumes

palm fronds top bloqe arquitectura's cluster of traditional houses along oaxaca coastline - 3 — Casa Caiman at night

project info:

name: Casa Caiman
architect: Bloqe Arquitectura | @bloqe.arquitectura

location: Barra de Navidad, Santa María Colotepec, Oaxaca, Mexico

project manager: Arq. Jorge Esquer Luque

design team: Francisco Villalón, Jerónimo Pratts, Juan Pablo Pérez, German Cortés, Alfredo Lamadrid, Rodrígo Álvarez

interiors: Maria Fernanda Tar – MAHTE

photography: Rafael Gamo | @rafaelgamo

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