The soft pink chukum that envelops Xiqué Boutique Hotel in Puerto Escondido, Mexico was chosen not only for its inviting and neutral quality, but also for its eco-friendly properties. While offering a welcome backdrop, the natural stucco material—made from tree resin and bark—is also water resistant and reduces heat absorption, providing passive cooling throughout the property.

The hotel’s staircase acts as a natural chimney that guides hot air out of the building

Locally based Estudio Carroll, which was tasked with bringing the eight-room hotel to life, sought to emphasize sustainability, cultural preservation, and integration with nature. Ultimately, it was an “opportunity to find solutions through innovative design and the ability to achieve a positive impact,” says lead architect Miguel Carroll.

Beyond the chukum, for instance, air continually flows through the interiors thanks to a mostly open west-facing side, grilles located near the rooms, and a staircase that acts as a natural chimney, guiding hot air upwards and out of the building.

At the core of the design is an inventive solution to the area’s limited sewage infrastructure: a man-made system, one of only 160 operational artificial wetlands in Mexico, that mitigates the amount of wastewater generated by the hotel.

“We created a walkable garden that purifies wastewater by mimicking natural wetlands,” explains Carroll. The system is combined with a pretreatment septic tank, effectively purifying wastewater generated onsite, which “not only reduces the hotel’s ecological footprint but also supports biodiversity and water conservation efforts in Puerto Escondido,” he adds.

The ground-floor restaurant, outfitted in natural wood and soft furnishings, reveals an outdoor patio through an arched window with glass doors

The earthy pink and beige of the exterior carries through into the interiors, where it is joined by reddish and brown tones of clay, as well as the warm hues of legally harvested macuil wood and palm wood, a local material used for the doors, railings, and lattices.

Clay slats are used on the exterior flooring and are also found elsewhere on the property, which boasts a ground-floor restaurant resplendent in natural materials and a rooftop terrace, home to an infinity pool that offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.

By maximizing interior spaces while preserving the surrounding natural habitat, the building’s form is defined by curves and contours that create visual fluidity. The “organic shapes of the building, inspired by nature and feminine elegance, create a unique architectural expression that not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also fosters a deeper connection with the environment,” Carroll notes. “It’s a testament to our dedication to creating spaces that not only inspire but also leave a positive impact on the local community and ecosystem.”

 

This article originally appeared in HD’s September 2024 issue.