Surrounded by tropical plants, Mexico-based design firm CO-LAB has designed Casa Areca, which has large openings that help keep the interior "cool and fresh year-round". The property is bounded by a rustic wall made of stone excavated during construction. Located in the Mexican beach town of Tulum, Casa Areca has been carefully placed on its narrow site to preserve existing vegetation, including some areca palm plants. The house was built to serve as a tranquil retreat with a tropical setting.

The bright, airy room is surrounded by surrounding greenery, while moving shadows adorn the walls, creating a serene ambience best suited for relaxing on a beach day. The exterior walls are finished with white polished cement, reinforced concrete and concrete masonry units. The facade of the house is a textured surface created by using a formwork made of wooden sticks. The east-facing front façade is cast against the formwork of local sticks, forming the most complete wall, presenting sun and shadow every morning.

Simple light-toned finishes are used inside, such as cream-coloured walls and polished concrete floors. The 285 sqm residence is divided into public and private areas. The ground floor includes an open space for lounging, dining and cooking. Large movable windows in the interior promote natural ventilation while blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior, allowing social areas to flow into the garden, where one will find a slender swimming pool surrounded by a deck.

A concrete staircase leads to the upper level of the house, where the design team designed four bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. On the roof, a furnished terrace provides a place to relax and enjoy the view. A wooden pergola acts as a protection from the elements. CO-LAB uses earthy materials such as parrot and jute to connect the house with the natural landscape. The vase is filled with wild grass collected by the design team. And all the wood elements have a light finish to help create the home's muted tones, helping to create a feeling of warmth and serenity.