Catch A Wave By Casa Del Sapo

When one thinks of Mexico, beaches may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but Zapotengo Beach in Oaxaca is the site of a gorgeous home by the sea that embraces the traditional and the modern when it comes to minimalist architecture trends, while also respecting the natural site it’s built on.

The overall design is intended to work in harmony with the structure’s natural surroundings, as well as to offer inspiration from nature.

Designed by Espacio 18 Arquitectura, Casa del Sapo is a concrete house inspired by Henry David Thoreau, an American naturalist, philosopher, and poet. The overall design is intended to work in harmony with the structure’s natural surroundings, as well as to offer inspiration from nature, just as Thoreau had sought from a house he built in his home of Massachusetts, USA, to escape his everyday life. Wooden shutters and doors are one way this is achieved, as they add warmth and contrast to the concrete.

Boasting breathtaking views of the ocean, the south-facing terrace includes a terracotta floor and a canopy that provides shelter from the hot Mexican sun, and a swimming pool runs parallel with the nearby beach. 

The geometric design of the house means that it is also positioned perfectly so that the sunrise and sunset can be seen from indoors.

But the geometric design of the house means that it is also positioned perfectly so that the sunrise and sunset can be seen from indoors. In fact, with a bedroom and a bathroom in both the western and eastern wings (and a kitchen in the east, too), you can even watch the sunrise without having to step foot outside – whether that be lazing in bed, or with an early morning cuppa in hand.

But Casa del Sapo’s main purpose is to facilitate the coming together of people and personal growth, in whatever form that may take. This means that in addition to being a family home, it also functions as a shelter, rest home, a space for friends to get together, and a safe, inclusive place of education for children, where they can have the opportunity to learn to swim, or release turtles into the ocean. 

Boasting breathtaking views of the ocean, the south-facing terrace includes a terracotta floor and a canopy that provides shelter from the hot Mexican sun

Words — Zach Thompson

Longing for more gorgeous architecture? Check out last month’s Design Bites by clicking here.