Cover A zen-like retreat for private getaways as well as sizeable social gatherings
A zen-like retreat for private getaways as well as sizeable social gatherings
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The sprawling indoor-outdoor private retreat is also adaptable to host large gatherings with a significant number of guests when necessary
Located within the premises of an exclusive gated community at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, the two-storey coastal home is a sprawling 12,500 sq ft property perched on the side of a rocky desert mountain with breathtaking views of the Sea of Cortez.
It is a spatial pied-à-terre that belongs to a very private couple in their forties, which played a role in the architecture and design of the place for Ponce de León Barragán Arquitectos, and Texan interior designer Rania Nasser of RN Interior Design.
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The sprawling retreat overlooking the Sea of Cortez
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“We had to deliver a design that would provide a zen-like and private retreat, an on demand and also a very social one that allows for large crowd capacity entertaining, and adapt for special guests and business gatherings,” recalls Arturo Ponce de León, founder and co-lead architect of the Mexican architectural firm. “We thought that if not the primary, we wanted this to be their favourite home.”
“Moreover, the unique architecture and innovative design captured me as it was different from anything we had done before,” he adds. “The location and topography are breathtaking so we knew that the views would create an incredible backdrop for our design.”
Above Contextual integration in the interior
Contextual integration in the interior
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Taking architectural cues from Mexican Pritzker Prize-winning architect, Luis Barragán, the collaborative teams successfully crafted a contemporary coastal home with an open indoor-outdoor layout that serves as both a serene retreat and a dynamic social space.
“Barragán’s architecture principles are often a pronounced source of inspiration for our work: simple spaces with honest bare materials and multiple water elements,” explains Arturo, whose project featured a unique plethora of natural materials carefully sourced in Mexico.
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Above A combination of quarry stones, limestones and stucco
Above Reclaimed floor-to-ceiling Indonesian teak
A combination of quarry stones, limestones and stucco
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Through a large cantilever front entrance, the stone material transitions freely inwards, reinforcing the contextual integration of limestone and stucco walls amidst an interior space that grows and expands, projecting outwards to provide a sense of lightness and levitation.
Reclaimed floor-to-ceiling Indonesian teak wood claddings add character to the integrated tones of the natural desert surroundings, whereas repositioned native vegetation is lush and tropical with its broad leaf plants and palms.
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A zen-like atmosphere where one feels as though they’re on vacation at a luxury resort
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Calm reflective ponds and fountains that flowed from the equidistant 4,000-square-foot outdoor swimming pool weaved their way through the open-plan living and social areas inside, while a private secondary swimming pool cantilevers in bold contrast with the horizontal lines of the home.
Located on the main level are dining and living spaces, a wine room, and a full commercial catering main kitchen to accommodate large parties. Concealed sliding doors interconnecting these areas transform the home into a stunning mountain-top pavilion when fully opened, with scenic views of the Sea of Cortez at every angle.
See also: Home tour: An elegant Kuala Lumpur penthouse inspired by desert landscapes
Above A minimalistic curation of contemporary Italian furnishings and art
A minimalistic curation of contemporary Italian furnishings and art
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Above Neutral palette layered with rich textures and monochromatic patterns
Above Cosy furnishing that that evokes a sense of calm and relaxation
Neutral palette layered with rich textures and monochromatic patterns
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However, due to the home’s unique location in a hurricane prone zone with its elevation and exposure, having storm shutter systems tastefully integrated into the home design was an initial challenge for Arturo and his team.
“While the fully retractable floor-to-ceiling slider windows provide unimpeded access to the outdoors, the house had to completely be ready for a hurricane in the span of no more than a half an hour,” the architect explains. “We managed to conceal the systems throughout the home, and even the custom state-of-the-art lighting fixtures, and the fully automated bespoke audio and video systems were, for the most part, ubiquitous but not visible.”
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Lineal floating ramps in lieu of a conventional stairway towards the upper level
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Seamless pathways lead to the home office and private principal suite on one end of the property and, on the other side, a separate guest apartment with a fully equipped kitchen for long term guests.
In lieu of a conventional stairway, lineal floating ramps navigate to the upper level, comprising a recreational room with a full bar, and three additional guest bedrooms with their own ensuites and ocean view balconies.
Juxtaposing the surrounding vistas and the precise architecture is a minimalistic curation of contemporary Italian furnishings and art, further highlighting the home as a tranquil retreat for the clients, their families and friends.
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The main bedroom feels cosy and overwhelmed with tranquillity
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“It was important for me to not take away from the architecture and allow nature and the views to become the focus,” elaborates Nasser. “We opted for warm wood tones and a neutral palette layered with rich textures and monochromatic patterns for interest and depth.”
“I drew inspiration from the surrounding nature and views that evoke a sense of calm and relaxation, so they feel cosy and overwhelmed with tranquillity,” she concludes. “I wanted to create an atmosphere where one feels as though they’re on vacation at a luxury resort and that they want to linger.”
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Credits
Photography: Rafael Gamo
As senior writer at Tatler Homes, Celeste Goh covers architecture, interior design, luxury homes and emerging design trends. She also serves as digital content manager for Tatler Malaysia, overseeing the brand’s digital editorial strategy and social media presence across its platforms.
