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ARCHITECTURE
JVL Architects
INTERIOR
Mariana Cabrera
PHOTOGRAPHY
César Béjar
EDITOR
Gina
Collection

Casa del Este is a residential project by JVL Architects for an American family of four, which can accommodate up to 12 people. Conceived to blend into the privileged landscape of Cabo del Este in Baja California Sur, Mexico, the house is a comfortable and safe refuge in an off-the-grid area away from the hustle of San José del Cabo. For its owners, it represents an ideal escape from the drastic temperatures of their Alaskan home, a space of disconnection and a heritage investment for the future.

The architectural design arose from direct dialogue with the clients, who wanted the programme to feature three en-suite bedrooms connected to the social area, a separate guest “casita”, pool, Jacuzzi, direct access to the beach, firepit, a shaded terrace, BBQ with outdoor bar and a three-car garage. An essential requirement was to ensure safe spaces for their young daughters, while protecting the house from the prevailing winds without sacrificing sea views.

Access to the house is marked by a blind wall that protects privacy, leaving only the pedestrian and vehicular entrances visible. From there, the compacted earth walls of the main volume of the house guide the visitor towards the main entrance, creating a gradual transition to a brick wall framing a monumental oak door. This sequence culminates in a central courtyard, a key element of the project.

Inspired by traditional Mexican architecture, this courtyard is the heart of the house and articulates the connection between social and private spaces. A concrete perimeter pergola allows in natural light and fresh air. This space was designed to allow weather conditions to filter into the home in a controlled manner, dispensing with glass roofs that would be affected during hurricane season. In the centre, a rectangular opening allows a torote tree to rise up, becoming a focal point surrounded by endemic vegetation and a mud floor that reinforces the regional character.

The layout of the social spaces guarantees uninterrupted views of the terrace, the pool and the sea, while the compacted earth walls that frame the ocean façade prolong the architectural language, organise the routes and define the transition between the public and the private. The family bedrooms, located in the main volume, have direct views of the sea and maintain a connection with the exterior social areas. The house has two bedrooms upstairs and two downstairs, in addition to the “casita” for visitors that offers greater autonomy to guests. The “casita” opens onto an interior courtyard bounded by compacted earth walls, reinforcing the materiality of the project and offering an atmosphere of calm and shelter.

The terrace is key to the Casa del Este experience. The large windows open up the entire social area. The terrace integrates a barbecue with bar, a firepit, pool and jacuzzi ideal for enjoying Cabo nights. Finally, a concrete staircase with fine sand finishes on the walls, and polished cement for the footprints and slopes connects directly with the beach, completing the spatial sequence on the site.

The material palette selected includes compacted earth, apparent concrete, clay, marble and oak wood. This combination balances solidity and warmth. The concrete was deliberately worked with an imperfect texture, highlighting the horizontal marks of the formwork and generating an irregular texture that dialogues with the rustic appearance of the compacted earth.

The interior design, developed by Mariana Cabrera, maintains coherence with the overall concept. It includes custom-designed furniture, such as the main armchair, beds and credenzas, as well as a careful selection of textiles that prioritise quality, texture and durability, reinforcing the atmosphere of serenity and relaxation.

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