The balmy tropical weather of Mexico, with its lush natural landscapes, colourful traditional handicrafts, festivities and unique culture has always drawn the tourist imagination. It has been a popular tourist destination not only for its vibrant festivities but a certain old-world charm that permeates its built environment; ancient ruins, colonial cities, as well as works of modernist and contemporary architecture. With the world slowly emerging from pandemic-induced stasis, Mexico saw a boom in tourist activities, with numbers surpassing pre-pandemic statistics in 2022. Among the many popular locations, a major draw for many visitors has been the state of Oaxaca; known for being home to the country’s myriad crafts villages and championing its indigenous culture, and to a tropical coast frequented by surfers. This naturally leads to an abundance of accommodations in the area: ranging from budget-friendly hostels to exclusive, luxury resorts.

Among these, looking out over the golden sands of the Pacific Coast, Casona Sforza promises a ‘sustainable luxury experience’ for its visitors. An adults-only resort, as stated on its website, its design is made up of ten sizeable vaulted structures, all of which look out to the clear blue Pacific Ocean. As the press release states, the resort design presents “a total balance with nature,” with a design that opens out to the elements, and outdoor amenities that allow the visitor a chance to reconnect with nature. Local building materials, handcrafted furnishings and lush landscaping in the hospitality design aim to immerse the visitor into the authentic culture of the country.

Designed by Mexico City-based architect Alberto Kalach, the asymmetrical layout of the design along with clean lines and strong arched spaces establishes a harmony with the surrounding landscape. The cascading units not only ensure privacy but also that views to the outside from each suite are uninterrupted. To enhance the connection to the natural elements, terracotta hues and wooden furniture set against the golden sand and green palms ease the visitor into a feeling of relaxation, creating a serene atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding villages and towns.

The eleven suites with their vaulted roofs have been designed in three configurations: Junior, Senior and Master suites, each promising the creature comforts of the home with luxury details. The rhythmic barrel vaults in the design, an element of traditional Mexican architecture that gives the resort its distinctive appeal, are reminiscent of Louis Kahn’s poetic language for the brick, seen most prominently in the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. An allusion to Roman architecture, for Kahn “the vault seems to be the best…rising not high, not in an august manner, but somehow appropriate to the size of the individual. And its feeling of being home and safe come to mind”. This is the feeling of being within the vaulted spaces, of a home away from home. The design makes careful reference to its cultural context, using the traditional vaulted form and handicrafts to bridge heritage with luxury. Spotlighting the well-known traditional craftsmanship of Oaxaca, the interior design incorporates palm lamps from Jalisco, rugs from Teotitlán del Valle, textiles from the Valley of Oaxaca and hammocks, chairs and curtains from Yucatán.

Further, the resort offers patronage to the Pueblo del Sol community transformation workshops—a community which includes potters, ceramists, cabinetmakers, farmers, and beekeepers—by incorporating and offering small details and amenities produced by them. This way, the resort ensures that the local community is supported through steady revenue generation. Sustainability and conscious luxury are thus core tenets for the design, reflected not only in the resort architecture and interiors, but also in the use of endemic vegetation such as majaguas, tabachines, mesquites, and huizaches, as well as the unmistakable cacti of the region, as part of the landscaping to ensure that the unique ecosystem of the area is undisturbed. The foliage helps to distinguish and shield different outdoor areas, maintaining a sense of privacy for the guests.

Blending tradition with contemporary tastes, nature and conscious luxury at the Casona Sforza makes for an experience that transcends its setting. Something is alluring about the idea of waking up with the view of the ocean, like a setting for a season of HBO’s show, The White Lotus that explores the sinister mystique of far-away locations and the people who visit such exclusive locations. Somehow, the tag of adult only, with the sumptuous decorations, the tropical greens and the golden sand add to this, creating a magic where the everyday routine is stripped, and there is nothing more to do than relax by the beach. Without artifice, Casona Sforza aims to transport its visitors to a place of serenity.