PO breathes new life into the historic Yucatan house
The architect workshop in Merida restored a historic house in one of the oldest neighborhoods in the Mexican state of Yucatán. The geometric masses and silhouettes are illuminated in vibrant purple tones as part of the "Casa Pulpo" delicate renovation program. The interior arrangement retains most of the initial features, allowing structural elements to be repaired if needed. The first space, consisting of a bedroom and a living room, retains the original high ceilings, with traditional white metal beams and wooden joints exposing the wood to show the weathered tones of the aging material. Each area decorates the space by placing different colors, which are reflected on the "spaghetti" tiles and highlighted on the lower border of the walls. The upper part of the surface is painted with a uniform off-white paint throughout the interior.
Casa Pulpo by Workshop Architects | All images courtesy of Tamara Uribe
The interior creates a unique atmosphere for each area
Through the arches of the hall, the kitchen takes on neutral tones, while large sliding glass doors connect the space to a small central terrace that provides ventilation and natural light throughout the terrace and direct access to the exterior. To create a unique atmosphere for each area of Casa Pulpo, Workshop Architects' design team used wood textures and white quartz to distinguish between the main kitchen, dining room and lounge area.
The central space of the hotel arranges another room, the dining room and the TV room, leading to a small wooden deck surrounded by tropical vegetation. Two sliding glass doors provide views and circulation to the garden and pool area. The third main space forms the core of the house, presenting a more modern and purposeful volume and integrating various elements such as a set of extrudions that divide each space according to its use.
The middle volume connects the bedroom with the outdoor terrace
The wooden deck and stone walls contrast with the lavender color
The master bedroom on the first floor is connected to a small terrace for private use, with a roof made of bamboo and soil that projects intricate shadow puppets on the walls and floor throughout the day. The "Casa Pulpo" project aims to create a diverse atmosphere by using different materials and textures throughout the property, such as "spaghetti" tiled floors and interior colors or wooden decks, stone walls, "chukum" swimming pools and plantations, contrasting with the lilac of the exterior.
The lilac arch of the hall leads to the back floor, which houses the master bedroom and guest room
The restored façade takes on bright purple tones
Lilac background is a rich plantation with outdoor terraces
the geometric volumes and silhouettes brighten up in vibrant purple tints
Patterned "spaghetti" tiles and wood textures decorate the interior
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Living room
Kitchen area
Dining and lounge area
Master bedroom
Project Information:
Name: Casa Pulpo
Designer: Studio Architect – Studio, Design & Architecture |@workshop_arquitectos
Interior design: Atesano | @artesano_mx
Location: Merida, Yucatán, Mexico
Photo by Tamara Uribe | @tamarauribeph