Cover The raw brutalist structure is softened with a contemporary touch that’s distinctly Mexican
The raw brutalist structure is softened with a contemporary touch that’s distinctly Mexican
1 / 1
A reimagining of Mexican Brutalism by RVO Studio that harmonises openness and seclusion within its coastal setting
Located in a fishing town in Nayarit, Mexico, the spacious beachfront property affords unparalleled views of the Mexican Pacific coast, making it the perfect escape for the homeowners from the fast-paced Los Angeles lifestyle.
Crafted by Mexico-based architectural firm RVO Studio, with interiors designed by Hadad Interiorismo, the site respects the natural rainwater path flowing from the mountains to the ocean, ensuring the structure doesn’t obstruct its course.
Read more: What is Brutalism, and how does its comeback align with contemporary sustainability trends
The bright façade that leads into a contemporary space brimming with imagination
1 / 2
The property includes a three-car garage and a casita (guest house) with an independent garden, while inside, organised around two major features–the Pacific Ocean and a central patio, a definitive layout allows residents to choose between socialising among friends and family and retreating to privacy.
Large gathering areas on the first floor comprise four kitchens, a laundry room, a media room, and a gym, while the second floor houses six private bedrooms.
See also: Home tour: A laid-back office home in Mexico City showcasing local artisanal craftsmanship
“I wanted to create a contemporary space brimming with imagination, yet inherently local and inviting; and the clients’ openness to ideas and creativity inspired us to push the boundaries of how we experience space for this project,” says Raul Velazquez, founder and architect of RVO Studio. “It was a long and beautiful experience, and I learned how to appreciate the world through their eyes–my highest outcome from this amazing project.”
Et tu, brute
Above The lattice wall façade facilitates natural light and ventilation into the main entrance foyer
The lattice wall façade facilitates natural light and ventilation into the main entrance foyer
1 / 1
Above Warm wood and coastal-inspired colours instil vibrancy
Above Grey concrete in clean, geometric lines sets the brutalist stage
Warm wood and coastal-inspired colours instil vibrancy
1 / 2
While the project retains the raw dynamism inherent in its rigid ancestry from the ‘60s and ‘70s, the exposed concrete and geometric forms are softened with a contemporary touch that’s distinctly Mexican.
Honest, grey concrete sets the brutalist stage in the expansive home, as natural wood, a vibrant nod to Mexico’s crafts soul, juxtaposes with visual warmth through detailed placements of untreated timber screens, weathering naturally to grey through the passage of time.
Don’t miss: The new language of luxury: Architecture and design in 2025
Coastal-inspired colours pepper the home, instilling vibrancy, such as greens in the courtyard pockets and built-in vegetation beds that line the balconies. Not to mention, the blue-toned staircase, inspired by the ocean, provides a colourful contrast to the overarching neutral hues of the project.
Passive play
The untreated timber screens weather naturally to grey overtime
1 / 2
Above The blue-toned staircase provides a colourful contrast to the neutral hues
Above A view of the blue sky through the skylight correlates with the staircase
The blue-toned staircase provides a colourful contrast to the neutral hues
1 / 2
The home’s coastal location presents challenges regarding the tropical climate of the area. As such, materials that are resistant to high-humidity coastal conditions, intense sun exposure, and salty breezes are important to construct sustainable structures.
“It was very important for us to learn from the local and tribal architecture, which, through the wisdom of countless generations, beholds a deep understanding and knowledge of this kind of zone and climate,” explains Velazquez. “Simple but powerful tricks that are resilient against the relentless heat, torrential rains, and formidable forces of the jungle and ocean.”
Read more: Home tour: A stunning brutalist Malaysian home with futuristic design elements
The home’s layout is organised around the central patio
1 / 2
As shading, isolation and cross-ventilation are crucial for creating a livable space on the Mexican coast, this leads to the thoughtful integration of natural light into RVO Studio’s design of the home.
While providing privacy to the residents with its high walls, the home captivates attention from the street with a lattice wall façade designed by the studio, with perforations facilitating natural light and ventilation into the main entrance foyer.
See also: 7 astonishing hotels that celebrate vernacular architecture around the world
Natural wood juxtaposes with visual warmth
1 / 2
“It’s like entering a sheltered space that also exposes the interior, making [the homeowners] feel protected but at the same time intimate,” muses Velazquez, in speaking of his favourite feature of the home.
Meanwhile, on the beachfront façade that opens towards the ocean, the studio utilised teak wood sliding louvres, strategically placed to ensure seclusion while also allowing the generous light, ventilation, and ocean views to permeate the space.
Don’t miss: Home tour: A gravity-defying modern house floating above the Malaysian suburbs
The wooden screens make the bedrooms feel warm, familiar, and private
1 / 2
“The biggest challenge was to create privacy for an exposed property that faces a public beach and neighbouring open-faced houses,” Velazquez elaborates. “[The wooden screens] make the home feel warm, familiar, and private; while giving the option to control the sun exposure on the terrace, as they act like a camera diaphragm, letting only the right amount of light when needed.”
Furthermore, from the communal spaces on the ground level, to the private rooms on the upper floor, wall-less but covered corridors connect the open-concept areas, as fully retractable floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and large picture windows embrace the sunny Mexican beach climate while capturing the sea breeze and breathtaking views from every vantage point.
Read more: 7 concrete masterpieces: The world’s most striking Brutalist hotels now
Thoughtful integrations of shading, isolation and cross-ventilation
1 / 2
Besides these passive design strategies, RVO Studio has also incorporated a rainwater and greywater recycling system in the home for irrigation during dry seasons; rainwater is collected to be returned to the soils, while greywater (used but untreated water from sinks, showers, and appliances) is separated from dark waters (heavily contaminated wastewater containing organic waste)–saving about 40 per cent of the overall water usage in the house.
“Even though the area is surrounded by water, there’s a significant shortage of fresh water, so one must be conscious of the way a house uses these resources,” Velazquez advises in conclusion.
NOW READ
8 enviable homes where every day feels like a holiday getaway
Home tour: A historical Ottoman home with Bosphorus Coast views in Istanbul
7 stunning Brutalist homes redefining Southeast Asian architecture
Credits
Photography: Marcos Garcia
Celeste Goh is a senior writer covering architecture and design. Based in Malaysia, she reports on emerging architectural and home design trends, as well as insights by local and international architects and interior designers.
Previously, she covered men’s lifestyle, fashion, music and entertainment.
