Architecture firm Anonimous took cues from pre-colonial architecture designing Casa Cova, a sprawling beach house made of concrete, parota wood and dried palm leaves.
Casa Cova is located in Puerto Escondido, a coastal town in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. Designed by Anonimous, which is based in the city of Querétaro, the building serves as a holiday home for two families.
Casa Cova is lifted off the ground to protect against flooding
The project's design was influenced by the massive chambers and private passageways found in the region's pre-colonial architecture. The firm drew particular inspiration from the Mitla archaeological site, which was first inhabited by the Zapotec people over 800 years ago. U-shaped in plan, the 1,287-square-metre holiday home consists of a central volume and two parallel arms that reach toward the sea. The central element holds a shared public zone, while the side wings encompass sleeping areas for each family.
One of a series of shady cabanas
The building is lifted 1.5 metres off the ground in response to flooding that can occur in the area. Walls are made of structural concrete, a material chosen for its durability.
"The constant intensity of the sun and the salinity of the place demanded a material that ages finely without the need of much, if any, maintenance," the team said.
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