Known for its sandy beaches, green setting and surfing spots, Mexico's Puerto Escondido now has one more card up its leafy sleeve: a new hotel with strong sustainability credentials, designed by acclaimed Mexican architect Alberto Kalach. Casona Sforza, conceived by the entrepreneur Ezequiel Ayarza Sforza, has just opened its doors and combines an eco-approach with striking architecture and state-of-the-art hospitality and interiors.
Set in La Barra de Colotepec, facing Mexico's Pacific Coast, the hotel's distinctive form represents its strong ‘ecological commitment', says the team. Composed of a series of round-roofed brick volumes, the flowing structure feels natural and uses the country's ancient techniques of brickwork, arch and vault building. This approach not only feels appropriate to the project's context and the region's history, but also makes the most of the fine anti-seismic properties of the vaulted shapes.
The complex comprises just 11 vaulted suites of various sizes, set in a green oasis around a circular pool. Neutral colours, a palette of organic materials – including wood, stone and ceramic – that can be sourced locally and feel at home in their setting, and views of nature help create a calming environment for guests.
Meanwhile, the interiors are populated by furniture made using traditional Mexican crafts. There are rugs from Teotitlán del Valle; textiles from the Oaxaca Valley; hammocks, chairs and curtains from Yucatán; and palm lamps from Veracruz. An emphasis on furnishings and building materials that are created locally supports Puerto Escondido-based workshops and technicians, and sustainable production.
Supporting the local community, while blending in with its delicate, natural setting, Casona Sforza's architecture represents Kalach's overarching site-specific and eco-friendly approach – one where sensitive, environmentally responsible architecture cuts a distinctly contemporary figure, effortlessly bridging old and new.
INFORMATION
-
At the Royal Academy summer show, architecture and art combine as never beforeThe Royal Academy summer show is about to open in London; we toured the iconic annual exhibition and spoke to its curator for architecture, Farshid Moussavi
-
This surreal new seafood restaurant in LA is the stuff of mermaid's dreamsAt Cento Raw Bar, delectable fare is complemented by playful, oceanic interiors by Brandon Miradi
-
What’s new in the wearable world of smart glasses, and extended and augmented realityAre you ready for AR? Meta, Google, Snap and more are gearing up to compete with Apple and deliver frames-based communications devices – complete with AI integration
-
In Quintana Roo, a park mesmerises with its geometric pavilionA Mexican events venue in the state of Quintana Roo rings the changes with a year-round pavilion that fosters a strong connection between its users and nature
-
Casa La Paz is a private retreat in Baja California full of texture and theatricsLudwig Godefroy designed Casa La Paz in Baja California, Mexico to create deep connections between the home and its surroundings
-
Pedro y Juana's take on architecture: 'We want to level the playing field’Mexico City-based architects Pedro y Juana bring their transdisciplinary, participatory approach to the Mexico pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025; find out more
-
Tour the wonderful homes of ‘Casa Mexicana’, an ode to residential architecture in Mexico‘Casa Mexicana’ is a new book celebrating the country’s residential architecture, highlighting its influence across the world
-
A barrel vault rooftop adds drama to these homes in Mexico CityExplore Mariano Azuela 194, a housing project by Bloqe Arquitetura, which celebrates Mexico City's Santa Maria la Ribera neighbourhood
-
Explore a minimalist, non-religious ceremony space in the Baja California DesertSpiritual Enclosure, a minimalist, non-religious ceremony space designed by Ruben Valdez in Mexico's Baja California Desert, offers flexibility and calm
-
La Cuadra: Luis Barragán’s Mexico modernist icon enters a new chapterLa Cuadra San Cristóbal by Luis Barragán is reborn through a Fundación Fernando Romero initiative in Mexico City; we meet with the foundation's founder, architect and design curator Fernando Romero to discuss the plans
-
Enjoy whale watching from this east coast villa in Mexico, a contemporary oceanside gemEast coast villa Casa Tupika in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico, is designed by architecture studios BLANCASMORAN and Rzero to be in harmony with its coastal and tropical context
