A circular stargazing courtyard sits at the center of this stone-clad vacation home in Mexico, designed by Guatemalan studio YDR.
Called Casa Suna, the 700-square-meter house is located between the sea and the mountains in La Ribera, and is finished in a palette of pale stone and wood in order to visually complement the surrounding sandy landscape.
“The basic concept of the design was to create a seamless integration with the diverse landscape, which includes beach dunes, desert plants and mountains,” Yolanda de Rueda, founder of YDR Studio, told Dezeen.
“The design emphasized the seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces, using materials that complement the local environment,” she added.
Set back from the road, the house is accessed via a pale concrete path that leads between the service house and the garage and through a large “desert-inspired” courtyard planted with cacti.
The axis of this path leads directly into the heart of the house, where the circular courtyard features a tiered seating area around a central fire pit and connects to the living, dining and kitchen area through a large set of wooden folding doors.
A wall of full-height windows faces the beach and offers the living area and master bedroom with panoramic views, as well as access to a concrete terrace finished with benches, hammocks, and a starting point as a patio and pool.
“The distinctive circular courtyard serves as the centerpiece of the home, featuring a fire pit and circular sofa for relaxation, meditation and social gatherings. Its open design frames the night sky, creating the perfect environment for stargazing,” Rueda told Dezeen.
“The property’s frontage extends to the beach with an expansive terrace where sculptural concrete cubes form the pool, jacuzzi and steps that lead directly to the sand, ensuring a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living.”
“Reminiscent of playful beach memories, these sculptural pieces bring together home and the sea in a fun and practical way,” she added.
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The bedrooms flank either side of the central courtyard and are positioned to provide views of the beach and across the courtyard at the front of the house.
Casa Suna’s gently sloping roof is punctuated by numerous small, round skylights that draw light into the bathrooms and bedrooms, while the roof terrace above the living area offers panoramic views of the mountains.
The neutral tones of the home’s local stone and concrete exterior carry over into the interiors, with pale painted walls, stone finishes in the bathrooms, and dark wood accents.
“Local stone and beige concrete reflect the natural colors of the sand, while warm wood accents reflect the desert environment,” Rueda said. “The travertine marble in the bathrooms adds an elegant touch, ensuring consistency with the overall material palette.”
Other recently completed homes in Mexico include a secluded retreat by Carlos H. Matos, finished with thick, sculptural walls of ochre-hued concrete.
Photography by Luz Imelda Castillo.
