Mexican architcture studio Espacio 18 unveils Casa Tobi, a residential project nestled on a steep coastal slope near Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca. The house descends westward in staggered levels, framing expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and capturing the region’s sunsets. Drawing inspiration from Sou Fujimoto’s writings on the evolution of architecture through primitive spatial principles, the project reimagines traditional forms through a contemporary lens. Its structure and materials — earth-toned concrete and stone — evoke the shell of a crab emerging from the rocks, at once blending into the arid landscape and expressing a tactile presence.

all images by César Bejar

Espacio 18 crafts sensory sequence of space and form

Espacio 18 organizes the home around a rhythmic play of compression and expansion. Upon entering at the upper level, visitors are greeted by a terrace and reflecting pool that mirrors the surrounding jungle and sky. From here, a narrow, shaded walkway guides the descent — its proportions intentionally tight, echoing the feeling of a cave — until it opens into a double-height living space. In this central zone, the architects have arranged a study, kitchen, dining area, lounge, pool, and fire pit, all oriented to maximize views and natural ventilation. The Oaxaca-based architecture studio’s  design favors both communal living and adaptability, allowing the home to respond to shifting uses over time.

Following the site’s natural contours, Casa Tobi steps gradually down the slope, integrating into the terrain while providing layered views at every level. The lower floor houses the bedrooms, where treetop canopies offer privacy and a close relationship with the surrounding vegetation. Materials are chosen to reinforce this connection: the reddish tones of the walls recall the colors of the setting sun, while water features—positioned throughout the property—cool the air and echo the geological formations of Hierve el Agua. The design prioritizes environmental responsiveness, grounding the home in its coastal setting.

Casa Tobi is nestled on a steep coastal slope near Puerto Escondido

the house descends westward in staggered levels

the shape and materiality evoke the shell of a crab

visitors are greeted by a terrace and reflecting pool

the house descends westward in staggered levels, framing expansive views of the Pacific Ocean

panoramic ocean views are reflected in the still surface of the upper-level pool

the dwelling blends into the arid landscape

Casa Tobi steps gradually down the slope, integrating into the terrain

the dwelling follows the site’s natural contours

water features throughout the house reference the petrified waterfalls of Hierve el Agua

the structure’s textured surfaces evoke the shell of a crab

interior materials in earth tones evoke the coastal landscape

the interior layout promotes both social gathering and quiet reflection

furniture and finishes reflect a restrained palette, complementing the architectural language

bedrooms on the lower floor sit among the treetops, offering an intimate connection with nature

project info: 

name: Casa Tobi | @casatobi
architects: Espacio 18 | @espacio18
architect in charge: Espacio 18 Arquitectura, Karina Flores, Jesús Piña
team: Mario Ávila, Carla Osorio, Jesús Pïña, Karina Flores, Noemie Coquil, Leslie Tamayo, Paola Alavez, Sonia Morales
location: Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
area: 255 sqm
photography: César Bejar | @cesarbejarstudio

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Madriguera Eco Reserve Stays by S-AR is the first built component of Glampeer, a hospitality initiative that aims to integrate architecture into mountain-based nature tourism. Located within a forested area that opens onto a small valley in Sierra de Arteaga, Mexico, the project explores how built structures can frame and enhance the experience of the surrounding landscape.

This initial phase comprises two separate cabins, Cabaña Conejos and Cabaña Liebre, each designed with distinct spatial programs but unified by a consistent material palette including wood, concrete, steel, and glass. Positioned along the western edge of the site’s natural slope, both cabins are oriented to maximize views toward a nearby mountain range. Their siting leverages the terrain for unobstructed visual access to both the valley and the forested backdrop.

all images by Recording Architecture

S-AR Sets Cabaña Conejos and Cabaña Liebre on a forested slope

Cabaña Liebre is compact in scale, roughly equivalent to a standard tent footprint, yet incorporates full interior amenities including a bathroom and kitchen. The structure employs a hybrid system of concrete supports and steel framing, enclosed with thermally insulated wooden boards. A concrete volume containing the bathroom and storage is inserted into the larger wooden shell. A surrounding terrace provides exterior space, adaptable for temporary features such as a portable fireplace. Cabaña Conejos, the larger of the two, accommodates multiple functions including sleeping, cooking, dining, and living, with the capacity to adapt interior configurations based on occupancy needs. The building is constructed using load-bearing concrete block walls and lightweight concrete slab systems, clad externally with thermally insulated black-painted wooden boards. Interior surfaces include wood flooring with a natural finish and walls coated with a cement and black paint mixture. Additional features include a workspace, a balcony, a rooftop viewing platform, and multiple access terraces.

Both structures operate as contemporary interpretations of the mountain refuge typology, using material economy and structural clarity to establish a visual and spatial dialogue with their environment. Madriguera Eco Reserve Stays by S-AR Studio frame specific landscape views while maintaining compact footprints, prioritizing environmental responsiveness and architectural precision.

two cabins, Cabaña Conejos and Cabaña Liebre, anchor the project

set on a forested slope, the cabins open toward a small mountain valley

each cabin is oriented to frame views of the surrounding mountain range

Cabaña Liebre occupies the footprint of a standard tent with full interior amenities

a consistent material palette of wood, concrete, steel, and glass unifies both structures

Madriguera Eco Reserve Stays integrates architecture into nature tourism in Sierra de Arteaga

Cabaña Conejos supports a range of living functions in a larger footprint

multiple terraces connect the interior to varied outdoor spaces

the cabins frame key landscape views without disrupting the terrain

interior surfaces feature natural wood floors and cement-finished walls

material economy and clear forms guide the architectural language

wooden insulation panels enclose the cabin, ensuring thermal comfort

each structure interprets the mountain refuge through contemporary design

project info:

name: Madriguera Eco Reserve Stays
architects: S-AR | @stacionarq

location: Sierra de Arteaga, Mexico

photographer: Recording Architecture | @recording.architecture

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Tucked into the subtropical jungle of Chetumal, Mexico, Parque Quintana Roo by AIDIA STUDIO transforms a once seasonal fairground into a year-round civic landscape for sports, culture, and community life. Spanning 10 hectares, the government-funded masterplan reimagines the annual fairgrounds of the region through a biophilic and parametric design lens, featuring a 1,000-seat arena, stream-like pedestrian pathways, and a constellation of circular structures. From ceiba-lined civic squares to skate parks and origami-roofed courts, the project softens the rigid edges of the site with a network of arcs and tangent connections, inviting fluid movement and a non-hierarchical experience through space.

All structures are finished in pale surfaces that reflect sunlight and mitigate heat, while slender olive-green metal columns and undulating timber details echo the surrounding forest. Each roof, many modeled after hyperbolic paraboloids, responds to tropical weather conditions, offering protection from heavy rainfall while maintaining natural airflow. Instead of solid facades, the buildings use brick screens and open walls, encouraging cross-ventilation and maintaining a dialogue with the outdoors.

Parque Quintana Roo transforms a traditional fairground into a vibrant urban park | all images by Andrés Cedillo

year-round infrastructure composes Parque Quintana Roo

The Parque Quintana Roo project originated as a response to the growing demand for more permanent infrastructure for Chetumal’s annual fair. This event evolved beyond its temporary roots to include concerts, rides, craft markets, and civic gatherings. Rather than proposing isolated buildings, London- and Mexico-based AIDIA STUDIO envisioned a coherent public realm that could host both everyday activities and large-scale festivities. A trapezoidal site measuring 200 by 400 meters, with only one formal entry point, posed initial access challenges. The architects addressed this by developing a road circuit that loops around the park, embedding running and cycling tracks into its perimeter, and distributing access to various venues from multiple points.

all materials used in the plazas and buildings harmonize with the area’s natural limestone

a biophilic parkland of arenas, pavilions, and civic spaces

At the core of the masterplan is a spatial language of circles and arcs, where each venue, from the retail pavilions to sports facilities, adopts a circular footprint and connects to others via tangent curves. This layout, driven by parametric tools and biophilic principles, allows the park to feel like a continuous terrain. The centerpiece is a 1,000-person arena that emerges as a sculptural terminus to the journey through the park. Along the way, visitors encounter spaces like the civic square framed by eleven ancestral ceiba trees, a multipurpose pavilion, a skate park, playgrounds, calisthenics areas, and covered basketball courts whose wide-span roofs draw from origami forms.

Crucially, the low density and modular construction strategy of Parque Quintana Roo were intentional, aiming to preserve green cover and to ensure cost-effective implementation. AIDIA STUDIO’s bottom-up approach prioritized the user’s experience of nature: whether cycling under a canopy of trees, discovering civic life at the heart of the ceiba grove, or skating through sun-dappled clearings.

various building typologies were developed tailored to the specific functions of the buildings

tiled hyperbolic paraboloid roofs offer protection against heavy rainfall

instead of solid facades, the buildings use brick screens and open walls

retail shops activate the park

lightweight metal frameworks introduce a playful twist

encouraging cross-ventilation and maintaining a dialogue with the outdoors

olive-green columns and undulating wooden accents integrate with the surrounding forest

a distinctive roof inspired by origami folds tops the basketball courts

each building focuses on the user’s experience of nature within the park

project info:

name: Parque Quintana Roo
architect: AIDIA STUDIO | @aidiastudio

location: Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico

plot area: 214,471.67 square meters
construction area: 39,645.78 square meters

client: SEDATU
lead architects: Rolando Rodriguez Leal, Natalia Wrzask
project coordination: José Luis Mulás
project team: Mariano González, Nitze Magaña, Aranzazú Sánchez, Mauricio Santibañez, Cecilia Simón, Emilio Vásquez, Rodrigo Wulf
structural engineering: Project & Calc
photographer: Andrés Cedillo | @pavelin

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom

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Manuel Cervantes Estudio’s temporary housing project is situated within rubber tree plantations in Palenque, Chiapas, in Mexico, where latex extraction is a key economic activity. The region’s humid-subtropical climate, characterized by high humidity and temperatures consistently above 26°C, plays a significant role in shaping both the economic landscape and the architectural response.

The area functions as a transitional zone for migrant workers from Haiti, Mexico, Central, and South America. These workers often establish makeshift accommodations, resulting in substandard living conditions. The architectural intervention aims to address this issue by providing a system of temporary housing that adapts to the local climate and working conditions. Two sites, Caracol and Santa Rosa, were selected for implementation. Caracol primarily accommodates single individuals, while Santa Rosa is designated for families. The modular system includes four main typologies: worker module, family module, cooking module, and cleaning module. These modules are arranged to complement one another and are integrated into the plantation layout to minimize environmental impact.

all images by Cesar Bejar

Bamboo facades clad the units’ reinforced concrete framework

The design is oriented parallel to the plantation rows to align with the rubber tree grid and maximize the shading effect of the existing vegetation, reducing direct solar exposure on the rooftops. The system utilizes reinforced concrete frames elevated above ground level to facilitate cross-ventilation beneath the structures. This elevation also helps limit heat and moisture transfer from the ground into the buildings. Bamboo, which is locally available, is used for the facades to provide both ventilation and visual privacy. Hollow concrete blocks form the interior partitions, while bamboo frames rest on reinforced concrete beams to support the roofing system. Roofs are designed with a reflective finish to reduce heat absorption and include integrated chimneys for passive heat extraction.

The design team at Manuel Cervantes Estudio prioritizes passive environmental strategies to achieve bioclimatic efficiency, including the use of natural shading, cross-ventilation, and material choices responsive to local conditions. The design establishes a relationship between the built environment and its natural context, operating with minimal visual and ecological disruption.

temporary housing modules situated among rubber trees in Palenque, Chiapas

modular system adapted to the region’s environmental and social conditions

elevated concrete frames enable natural airflow under the structures

bamboo facades offer privacy while promoting cross-ventilation

the project constructs four module types: worker, family, cooking, and cleaning units

arrangement of modules complements the plantation’s natural rhythm

modules are oriented to follow the plantation’s tree rows

roofs finished in reflective coatings to minimize heat gain

the housing system prioritizes low environmental impact

designed to support migrant workers in a humid-subtropical climate

hollow blocks and bamboo frames define the interior layout

passive strategies reduce indoor heat and humidity

project info:

name: Temporary Housing for Workers (Agros)

architect: Manuel Cervantes Estudio | @manuelcervantes

design team: Jaime Morales, Juan Pablo López, Mariloly Rodríguez, Omar Martínez

location: Palenque, Mexico

photography: Cesar Bejar | @cesarbejarstudio

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Rubén Valdez Practice’s Spiritual Enclosure is a quiet, circular intervention designed for reflection in the desert of Todos Santos, Mexico. Commissioned by Paradero Hotels as a non-religious ceremony space, the project consciously works with light, material, and orientation, carved into the arid terrain and partially sunken as its circular concrete ring emerges just above ground level. Inside, the surface is left raw and exposed, with only the compacted earth underfoot containing it while it opens up to the sky.

Entry into Spiritual Enclosure is indirect, beginning with a single baffled ramp, rotated 45 degrees from the central axis, that leads visitors through a gradual sequence of turns before the full space is revealed. The decelerated approach here deepens the spatial transition from the exterior desert into the enclosure in a motion that mirrors the site’s ceremonial function.

all images by César Béjar

rubén valdez practice references spirituality in mexican culture

Organic curves and minimal detailing allow the enclosure to dissolve into the landscape while framing its boundaries. A single semi-circular aperture opens the space toward distant mountain ridgelines, while a full circle of the sky is revealed within the boundary of the walls. Further, Rubén Valdez Practice orients the structure along an east-west axis, which allows the sun’s movement to register throughout the day and cast shifting shadows that mark the passage of time.

The space inside is vast and open, adorned with only rows of wooden benches and a polished obsidian disc, the latter referencing tezcatl mirrors that have been used for centuries in Mesoamerican cultures as tools of reflection and spiritual insight. Here, the Switzerland-based architects utilize the mirror as a visual and symbolic anchor, functioning as a small reflective void within the open circle. 

Spiritual Enclosure is a quiet, circular intervention designed for reflection

Rubén Valdez Practice carves the structure in the Mexican desert

partially sunken as its circular ring emerges just above ground level

crafted from concrete

a single semi-circular aperture opens the space toward distant mountain ridgelines

benches inside create a space for spiritual contemplation and rest

the materiality infuses a natural warmth

a polished obsidian disc references tezcatl mirrors that have been used for centuries in Mesoamerican cultures

entry into Spiritual Enclosure is indirect

located in the Baja California Desert

project info:

name: Spiritual Enclosure

architect: Rubén Valdez Practice | @rubenvaldezpractice

location: Todos Santos, Mexico

photographer: César Béjar | @cesarbejarstudio

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Acapulco: Selective Memories is an architectural installation developed by the design studios a|911, Cadena Concepts, and Esrawe. Presented at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, the installation addresses the spatial and material challenges of coastal urbanism in response to recent climate events. Through a structure formed by a double celosía, perforated wall, the project functions as both an archive and a framework, examining the layered urban history of Acapulco and proposing approaches to resilience and adaptive reuse. The installation is situated within the broader theme of the Biennale, Intelligens: Natural. Artificial. Collective., curated by Carlo Ratti, director of the MIT Senseable City Lab. The project engages this context by exploring how architectural intelligence, both traditional and contemporary, can contribute to climate response and urban regeneration.

Acapulco, historically a major port in the Manila Galleon trade and later a prominent international tourist destination, now faces structural challenges related to environmental vulnerability and economic decline. The installation does not seek to evoke nostalgia but to consider the relevance of historical, ecological, and material knowledge in shaping future urban strategies. The design aims to investigate how spatial memory and cultural legacy can inform sustainable redevelopment.

all images courtesy of design studios a|911, Cadena Concepts, and Esrawe I all images credit Ricardo de la Concha

Celosía as Archive and Lattice: A Material Reflection on Acapulco

The double celosía structure includes two primary elements: an archive and a lattice. The archive contains a curated selection of urban and architectural documents, maps, and visual materials referencing figures such as Alexander von Humboldt, Clara Porset, Félix Candela, Mario Pani, Frank Lloyd Wright, and John Lautner. These references provide a contextual framework for understanding the evolution of Acapulco’s built environment and its connections to broader architectural discourse. The lattice element serves as a spatial construct that integrates vernacular building systems with contemporary design methods. It is both conceptual and functional, representing the intersection of tradition and innovation. Through this assembly, the installation examines architectural adaptability in the face of changing climatic and socio-economic conditions.

By foregrounding themes of regeneration and ecological sensitivity, Acapulco: Selective Memories situates Mexican design within global discussions on sustainable development, urban resilience, and collective memory. The project, developed by architectural studio a|911, design firm Esrawe, and the creative team at Cadena Concepts, contributes to ongoing explorations of how architecture can mediate between cultural history and future environmental performance, particularly in coastal contexts.

a collaborative project by a|911, Esrawe, and Cadena Concepts

double celosía structure framing spatial memory and future adaptation

the archive wall features urban and architectural references from Acapulco’s history

perforated walls act as both structural and symbolic frameworks

contextual documents trace Acapulco’s evolution as a global port city

the installation examines the role of design in coastal resilience

architectural archive curated to explore Acapulco’s layered past

material assembly reflecting coastal conditions and cultural continuity

a space where historical reference meets future design thinking

installation proposes a regenerative approach to coastal urbanism

Mexican design positioned within a global sustainability discourse

exploring the intersection of collective memory and urban regeneration

project info:

name: Acapulco: Selective Memories

architect: a|911 | @arq911 + Esrawe Studio | @esrawestudio + Cadena Concepts | @cadenaconcepts

location: Venice, Italy

area: 9 sqm

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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With Casa La Paz, Ludwig Godefroy continues his investigation into landscape-first architecture with a project that challenges the conventional hierarchy of house and garden. The house settles into a sloping topography close by a dry creek in Baja California, Mexico, built first as a garden, which then contains a house. Conceived from the outside in, the starting point for the French architect was to create a void. This empty space, the garden, acts as the primary organizing element that defines circulation, buffers views from neighboring plots, and creates a sense of interiority in the open air. In this inversion, the garden becomes the de facto living room, kitchen, and dining space, while the surrounding built volumes function more like shelters or pavilions arranged in support of this central feature.

The house eliminates the facade as a defining architectural element, creating a structure that is continuously open and ventilated. Tall organ pipe cacti, thick elephant trees, and twisted desert bushes surround it, with this new permeability between the garden and the house leading to the idea of a ‘habitable garden’. At the same time, it continues to offer privacy through orientation and layering rather than enclosure. In this way, the architecture is open to the environment while still responding to the human need for shelter and intimacy.

all images courtesy of Ludwig Godefroy

ludwig godefroy fosters connectivity between terrain & house

Casa La Paz’s spatial arrangement reorients familiar domestic priorities, placing nature at the core and architecture at its edges. The site itself was key to the project’s spatial strategy. Ludwig Godefroy sought to preserve the original topography, especially the subtle connection between the terrain and a nearby creek. The architecture then responds by accepting the contours of the land, allowing the house to emerge without interrupting the terrain’s flow. In doing so, the structure negotiates a delicate balance between intervention and preservation, making room for the land to express itself alongside the architecture.

Throughout, the house is designed as a sequence of spatial experiences unfolding through the land and the interior space. The architect crafts a constellation of volumes linked by the pathways and shadows that shift throughout the day, and each corner forms a microclimate or atmosphere: a place to rest, eat, or retreat. The architecture supports coexistence without requiring proximity, allowing residents to share the same space while remaining partially unaware of one another’s presence.

Ludwig Godefroy continues his investigation into landscape-first architecture

Casa La Paz challenges the conventional hierarchy of house and garden

the house settles into a sloping topography close by a dry creek in Baja California, Mexico

conceived as a cluster of pavilion-like volumes

textures of natural materials

the house eliminates the facade as a defining architectural element

Ludwig Godefroy sought to preserve the original topography

the garden becomes the de facto living room, kitchen, and dining space,

Casa La Paz’s spatial arrangement reorients familiar domestic priorities, placing nature at the core and architecture at its edges

the architecture supports coexistence without requiring proximity

tall organ pipe cacti, thick elephant trees, and twisted desert bushes surround it

project info:

name: Casa La Paz

architect: Ludwig Godefroy | @ludwiggodefroy

location: Baja, California, USA

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Amasa Estudio renovates a long-abandoned 1940s house in Colonia Roma, just six blocks from Parque México in one of Mexico City’s most sought-after neighborhoods. Originally used as office space, Casa Sofia sat empty for over ten years. Rather than demolish or replace it, the architects preserved the structure and gave it new life. The result is a compact, flexible home that respects its past while making room for new ways of living. 

The material palette reinforces the spatial mood. A muted green saturates the metal elements, stairs, railings, doors, and furniture, while textured gray plaster walls create a neutral backdrop and allow these features to pop.

all images by Zaickz Moz, unless stated otherwise

three different entrances give Casa Sofia a flexible setup

What began as a plan for a single-family home evolved into something more adaptable. In the Casa Sofia project, the Mexican architects of Amasa Estudio fit a ground-floor one-bedroom apartment, a garage that doubles as a small commercial unit, and a main residence located above. All three have separate entrances from a shared vestibule, making it possible to rent or work from parts of the property while maintaining privacy. 

Inside the main residence, the layout flips the usual logic. Bedrooms are tucked away on the first floor, and a spiral staircase leads up to a second level with the kitchen, living room, dining area, half bath, and open terrace. This entire floor is open-plan, wrapped in folding windows. A circular skylight over the staircase floods the vertical core with daylight, pulling light down into the more enclosed floors below.

Amasa Estudio renovates a long-abandoned 1940s house in Colonia Roma

the building was originally used as office space

Casa Sofia sat empty for over ten years

the architects preserved the structure and gave it new life

the flexible home respects its past

making room for new ways of living

the material palette reinforces the spatial mood

a muted green saturates the metal elements

a circular skylight over the staircase floods the vertical core with daylight | image by Gerardo Reyes Bustamante

stairs, railings, doors, and furniture are all painted in the same color | image by Gerardo Reyes Bustamante

the skylight brings light down the staircase into the more enclosed floors

project info:

name: Casa Sofia
architect: Amasa Estudio | @amasa__estudio

location: Colonia Roma, Mexico City, Mexico

area: 215 square meters

lead architects: Andrea López | @androide08, Agustín Pereyra | @a_pereyra

client: ECOBIART Inmobiliaria

constructor: Erik Cortés Ortega

restructuring engineering: Juan Felipe Heredia | @jfheredia

installations engineering: Germán Muñoz

lighting: Andrea López, Agustín Pereyra

team: Cesar Huerta, Gerardo Reyes

photographers: Zaickz Moz | @zaickz.moz, Gerardo Reyes Bustamante | @gerardorbustamante

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Fernando Romero reveals the design for a new medical facility in Los Cabos, Mexico, developed for Christus Muguerza and Christus Health. Positioned just 300 meters from the coast and visible from the nearby airport, the Christus Muguerza Hospital Los Cabos aims to become a regional landmark that addresses complex environmental and clinical demands. A double-skin facade wraps around the hospital, with aluminum louvers that mitigate heat gain, preserve outward views, and withstand the corrosive coastal climate. Biophilic design principles are also applied throughout, including integrated greenery and framed views to reduce the clinical atmosphere often associated with healthcare spaces.

A radial plan defines the form and program, organizing the hospital into three primary arms and with three distinct access points — public, emergency, and service — that minimize conflict between circulation paths. One arm is rotated to create direct access to planted rooftop terraces from each patient wing. This layout, rooted in historical hospital typologies, has been reinterpreted to maximize ocean and mountain views, bring natural light into all inpatient rooms, and integrate planted rooftop terraces into each patient wing. Construction has just begun, with completion targeted for 2028.

all images courtesy of Fernando Romero

fernando romero adapts historic typologies

To begin with, Fernando Romero’s studio conducted research into hospital design history, finding recurring examples of circular and radial organization across centuries. This informed the architects‘ approach, which adapts these typologies to the local context through rotation and elevation. The resulting design reduces wind resistance, a critical consideration in a hurricane-prone region, and enhances spatial clarity through a central light-filled atrium. A series of terraces enhances this as they wrap around the Christus Muguerza Hospital’s curves, intended as part of a broader therapeutic strategy that incorporates landscape and open air into the healing environment.

On the ground level, the architects have organized key clinical functions for efficiency, with emergency, radiology, obstetrics, and surgical services arranged to streamline operations. Inpatient rooms span the upper two floors, with provisions for family members and direct access to outdoor terraces. A chapel is positioned above the main entrance, forming a visual and symbolic anchor, marked by a cross articulated in the facade. Public services such as a café, pharmacy, and outpatient consultation areas are placed on the entry level for intuitive access.

a radial plan defines Christus Muguerza Hospital

a double-skin facade wraps around the facility, with aluminum louvers that mitigate heat gain

project info:

name: Christus Muguerza Hospital

architect: Fernando Romero | @free_fernando_romero

location: Los Cabos, Mexico

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Thames & Hudson’s new release, Casa Mexicana, traces the evolving landscape of contemporary Mexican architecture as seen through the lens of Edmund Sumner. Shot over twelve years following a series of repeated, intuitive site visits, the book presents a photographic study of 26 homes across the country — ranging from remote retreats to urban interventions. The featured projects are connected by a shared preoccupation with material nuances, spatial restraint, and sensitivity to site, which Sumner captures with a thoughtful sensibility.

These buildings engage directly with Mexico’s ecological and cultural conditions, reflecting the diverse terrain of the country while remaining deeply grounded in craft. ‘Mexico has an infectious optimism in the air. The people I meet, the designers I work with, the architecture I shoot is unified by a sense of curiosity, confidence, and the purest understated style,’ the British photographer shares with designboom. This energy threads through the book, weaving through the sculptural Brutalist-inspired works of Ludwig Godefroy to the climate-conscious approach of Mauricio Rocha + Gabriela Carrillo, to trace the broader mood of the region’s design culture.

all images by Edmund Sumner

casa mexicana examines architecture as narrative

Throughout the book, Edmund Sumner invites an unvarnished yet deeply textured reading of architecture as narrative. As he captures the quiet radicalism of contemporary Mexican practice, the photographer spotlights how buildings, in dialogue with their terrain or built contexts, reveal their complexity through light, material transitions, and spatial layering rather than overt symbolism. ‘While photography is a visual medium,’ Sumner tells designboom, ‘I hope my work serves as a conduit through which to bring conversations of emerging architecture to a global stage.’

Casa Mexicana thus presents an expansive conversation that looks at how both local and transnational figures have impacted the landscape. The book’s editorial arc, enhanced by the insight of architectural writer Jonathan Bell and accompanied by a foreword from Fernanda Canales, is shaped around this diversity of expression. Some homes engage directly with vernacular models — courtyards, shaded arcades, and thick-walled interiors that recall indigenous and colonial typologies. Ambrosi Etchegaray’s Casa Volta tucks a cluster of vaulted volumes within a jungle along Oaxaca’s coast, shaped from local brick and clay and flanked by a sequence of columns that evoke an abandoned classical temple.

Casa Catarina by Héctor Barroso

Other projects, like Ludwig Godefroy’s Casa Alférez take a more sculptural approach, merging Brutalist geometries with passive environmental strategies tailored to Mexico’s wide-ranging climates. Edmund Sumner calls this identity a kind of ‘primal future’ — a way of building that acknowledges ancestral knowledge while adapting it to contemporary needs. ‘It’s a scene with an eye on the past but one foot firmly in the future,’ he reflects. ‘Its influence is now exploding onto the global stage.’

Casa 720 by Fernanda Canales Arquitectura

Casa Naila by BAAQ’

Casa 720 by Fernanda Canales Arquitectura

Casa Catarina by Héctor Barroso

Casa Wabi by Tadao Ando

The Hill in Front of the Glen by HW Studio

Casa Reyes by Pedro Reyes, Carla Fernández

Casa Tiny by Aranza de Ariño

Plantel Matilda

Casa Wabi

Casa Naila

The Hill in Front of the Glen

Casa 720

Casa Estudio by Manuel Cervantes Estudio

Plantel Matilda

project info:

name: Casa Mexicana

photographer: Edmund Sumner | @edmundsumner

publisher: Thames & Hudson | @thamesandhudson

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