Camino Capo Est is the coastal road that runs along the southern tip of the Mexican peninsula of Baja California, touching the Parque Nacional Cabo Pulmo, a marine park in the transition area from tropical to temperate environments where the Sea of Cortez meets the cold Pacific Ocean. It is here that the architecture firm RIMA Design Group has built a private villa on a remote project site, only recently made accessible by a paved road.
Baja California, an ocean view villa with rammed earth walls
On the southern tip of Baja California, Mexican studio RIMA Design Group designs a private residence characterized by design choices geared toward passive climate design.
Foto Rafael Gamo
Foto Rafael Gamo
Foto Rafael Gamo
Foto Rafael Gamo
Foto Rafael Gamo
Foto Rafael Gamo
Foto Rafael Gamo
Foto Rafael Gamo
Foto Rafael Gamo
Foto Rafael Gamo
Foto Rafael Gamo
Foto Rafael Gamo
Foto Rafael Gamo
Foto Rafael Gamo
Foto Rafael Gamo
Foto Rafael Gamo
Foto Rafael Gamo
Foto Rafael Gamo
Foto Rafael Gamo
Foto Rafael Gamo
Drawing RIMA Design Group
Drawing RIMA Design Group
Drawing RIMA Design Group
Drawing RIMA Design Group
Drawing RIMA Design Group
Drawing RIMA Design Group
Drawing RIMA Design Group
Drawing RIMA Design Group
Drawing RIMA Design Group
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- Romina Totaro
- 18 May 2021
- Cabo del Este, Mexico
- RIMA Design Group
- 450 sqm
- private residence
- 2020
The lack of essential infrastructure made this site a challenge for the Mexican firm, both in design and technology. The architecture is materially characterized by rammed earth walls, thermally insulating elements that bring moisture into the otherwise-dry desert climate in which the house is built. The natural texture of the main walls contrasts with the polished floors, concrete walls, and tall beams placed above the great room – the latter inspired by the palapa (“pulpy leaf”), a wall-less dwelling with a thatched roof. Skylight windows and patios aid the flow of light and ventilation, contributing to passive climate design.
Facilitated by the beauty of the surrounding landscape, the project successfully creates a seamless transition from comfortable interior space to exterior design through the conscious use of materials.
Meanwhile, the home’s energy supply relies on 48 solar panels on the central flat roof, inverters, lithium batteries, and a propane generator to assist the system during higher consumption. A second, hidden technical level features a waste treatment plant and a large cistern for drinking water.
- Casa Sal
- RIMA Design Group
- Gerry Rivero, Maritere Rivero, Carlos Flores, Guillermo Valles, Napoleón Guerrero
- Sergio Granillo, Pedro Ricardez, Jorge Montaño
- MGA Calculo Estructural
- Rodrigo Araiza
- Zone Energy
- privato
- Cabo del Este, Baja California Sur, Messico
- 450 sqm
- 2020
Site plan
Ground floor plan
Sections
Sections
Elevations
Elevations
Elevations
Wall section, detail
Wall section, detail