Open House by As Arquitectura + Diseño – A Tropical Retreat Immersed in Nature

Located in the lush Aldea Zamá community of Tulum, Mexico, Open House by As Arquitectura + Diseño is a 340 m² residence designed to dissolve the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. Conceived by architects Alejandra Abreu Sacramento and Xavier Abreu Sacramento, the project embraces Tulum’s tropical environment, preserving its native vegetation while crafting a calm, climate-responsive living experience.

A Residence Designed Around Nature

From the outset, the architects centered the design on environmental integration. Instead of clearing the land, the home is carefully positioned among existing trees, using areas with less vegetation for built spaces. Mature trees become the anchor points for courtyards and patios, which articulate the layout and maintain uninterrupted visual connections throughout the site.

The result is a home that feels open, immersive, and deeply connected to its surroundings, allowing nature to remain the protagonist.

Seamless Indoor–Outdoor Living

Open House prioritizes fluidity and transparency. Every interior space opens directly onto patios or gardens, eliminating visual barriers and maximizing natural light. This design strategy achieves:

• Larger perceived spatial volumes
• Brighter interiors
• Natural cross-ventilation
• Reduced reliance on artificial lighting and cooling

Residents enjoy constant views of the outdoors, creating a living experience defined by openness, comfort, and sensory connection to the environment.

Floating Volumes and Spatial Strategy

Formally, the house is composed of two elevated volumes that appear to float above the lateral boundary walls. These upper-level structures house the bedrooms, arranged to embrace groups of existing trees and create shaded courtyards below. Their elevation frees the ground floor, allowing the social areas to maintain clear views toward the untouched vegetation.

An outdoor corridor connects the upper-level bedrooms, offering a pathway intertwined with nature, reinforcing the project's concept of living among the trees.

Local Materials and Contemporary Craft

Materiality plays a key role in achieving harmony with the natural setting. The architects selected regional materials such as:

• Wood
• Bajareque (traditional wattle-and-daub construction)
• Artisan-placed stone
• Chukum stucco, made from the resin of the local tree, known for its waterproof properties and warm, earthy tone

These handcrafted materials contrast with the home’s steel structural elements, introducing a contemporary layer without compromising the organic atmosphere. The palette of textures and natural finishes further roots the project within Tulum’s landscape.

Living Comfortably in Harmony With the Environment

Open House offers a serene, sensory living experience shaped by light, shadow, and vegetation. The careful balance between architecture and nature elevates everyday life while maintaining energy efficiency and ecological sensitivity.

All photographs are works of César Béjar