Mexico-based MATERIA + Gustavo Carmona’s latest architectural project, Tate House, is a residential building that lies along the coast of Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca. The house overlooks the Pacific Ocean and, in the distance, Oaxaca’s mountain ranges. Led by Mexican architect Gustavo Carmona, the studio focuses on creating sensory experiences within the spaces they shape. Appending the careful usage of materials and tectonic assemblies, the Mexican architecture studio shapes structures following an overarching ethos – ‘Atmosphere detailed’. The studio shares, “The design philosophy is nurtured by the development of a rich collaborative design culture based on empathy, design and innovation.”

Tate House, with the incorporation of local construction techniques and materials, its proximity to the ocean and mountain ranges and its atypical layout permitting continual transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces, effectively exemplifies the promise of granting sensorial experiences.

Tate House is surrounded by several beach houses on either side while maintaining a clear and uninterrupted view of and path to the oceanfront. Within this context, we asked the studio what the initial brief shared by the clients for the residence was. Carmona responds, “The initial request was for a beach house that could accommodate the owner's large family while maximising the beauty of the site and its surroundings. Additionally, the house was envisioned as a rental property for periods when the family would not be using it, blending functionality with a design that celebrates its coastal setting.”

In response to the brief, the studio stipulated six bedrooms, one master bedroom, a kitchen, an expansive living area overlooking the pool and the ocean, a games room, storage areas and a centrally running botanical garden along the staggered mesial pathway. “The intention of this project is deeply rooted in the understanding of the site as an opportunity to create a sense of place. The house is not perceived as an imposed object but as a tool to uncover the natural events and manifestations specific to the context,” reads an excerpt from the press release. While most of the spaces within the residence have been built, like individual pavilions separated by pathways, a section of the residence stipulated for two bedrooms and the games room will be erected during the next construction phase.

In addition to the house’s connection with the ocean and mountain ranges, the residence design further features internal courtyards inhabited by botanical gardens, hence creating an intimate green (open) space for repose and reflection. These voids, designed for movement within the residence, also connect individuals to the natural atmosphere within the privacy of their home. “The placement of the modules sets a high priority on the disposition of outdoor areas, establishing pathways through them and creating zones of contemplation. This design defines the boundaries that separate the open and the enclosed, enhancing the overall sitewide experience,” the studio shares.

Tate House encompasses three distinct types of gardens, placed close to each other. The first garden within the contemporary residence is an open and unobstructed green expanse that stretches from the living area to the ocean. The second layer of a green zone is stationed along the edge of the site—a layer of dense foliage composed of native tropical jungle species that ensures residents' privacy. Another garden area, positioned centrally within the residence, is a desert botanical garden wherein various endemic species have been planted. Placed in a way that complements the pathways, these plants include diverse agaves, cacti, bromeliads and trees such as pochote (Ceiba pentandra), copal (Bursera simaruba) and guayacán (Guaiacum coulteri).

Tate House exemplifies a blend of local architecture and contemporary materials and techniques. “The pavilion’s design aimed to create a tectonic manifestation of Oaxaca’s craftsmanship, employing local materials and straightforward construction systems to emphasise haptic expressiveness. By blending traditional artisanal techniques with contemporary forms, the project reflects a balance between honouring local culture and embracing modern architectural language,” Carmona shares. During the making of the residence, the studio faced a tight timeline and bore the impact of the pandemic. This led to a delay in the construction process, a challenge that was tackled by maintaining close coordination with local suppliers and contractors and streamlining certain design decisions to stay on schedule.

The resulting structure of the private residence is characterised by stone masonry walls resting on concrete slabs. These stoically formed pavilion-like structures are adorned with palm-thatched roofs called palapas, which are commonly found around Mexico. Each pavilion, with its private terrace, faces the central axis and the botanical garden that runs through it. Delimited by wooden lattices, the threshold between the individual pavilions and the central gardens is porous and non-absolute, which helps in the retention of a connection between the residential interiors and the expansive outdoors. Further, the presence of several interstitial spaces between the pavilions and an oculus that brings a streak of natural light into the residence punctuates the villa and transforms it into a sanctuary that is perennially connected with nature.

Since the residential architecture of Tate House is defined by various openings, we were curious about the process of ensuring security within the house. Carmona clarifies, “Despite the openness of the plan, security is maintained through the concrete wall that encloses the main entrance of the property. Wooden fences on the sides provide additional barriers, while the pavilions on the sea-facing side act as both architectural and protective elements.”

The central pavilion, referred to as the ‘threshold of permanence’ by the architect and located near the coastal edge of the site, houses the social spaces within the residence. While all the pavilions within the residence bear a connection to the outside, this central pavilion serves as a porous boundary between the residence and the ocean. “It functions as a large window framing the Pacific Ocean horizon to the west and the edge of the Oaxacan mountains to the east,” the studio shares. The variety of textures (of concrete, stone and wood) that make up the pavilions establish a visual language of repetition and rhythm that changes throughout the day. At night, artificial light affixed by the architects models this play of striated light and shadow.

Project Details

Name: Tate House
Location: Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca. Mexico
Architect: MATERIA + Gustavo Carmona
Design Team: Karla Uribe, Gustavo Xoxotla, Teresa Berumen, Rodrigo Pérez, Jovana Grujevska, Sol Fernández, Isabel Pacheco
Lighting: Gustavo Carmona + Juan Carlos Stefanoni
General Contractor: Juan Carlos Stefanoni
Landscape Design: Gustavo Carmona + Diáspora (Magaly Martínez, Luis Muñoz)
Furniture: Exterior Concept, Namuh, and Local Oaxacan Markets
Solar Panel System: Kikapú
Site Area: 2610.85 square metres
Built-up area: 514 square metres
Year of Completion: 2024