El Guayacan

Collab. Perma Casco Arquitectura.

El Guayacan is a coastal residential project located in Zipolite, Oaxaca, developed in response to the climatic and landscape conditions of Mexico’s Pacific coast. Conceived as a small residential complex, the project combines a primary private residence with five independent rental units organized around a shared outdoor environment. The design brief prioritizes privacy while maintaining a strong connection between architecture, landscape, and the experience of coastal living.

The architecture is composed as a series of carefully positioned volumes distributed across the site to create distance and visual separation between the different dwellings. This arrangement allows each unit to maintain a sense of autonomy while still belonging to a cohesive architectural ensemble. At the center of the complex, a shared pool and outdoor gathering space provides a communal element, balancing moments of social interaction with areas of retreat.

Spatial organization responds closely to climate and orientation. Openings, shaded terraces, and transitional spaces encourage cross-ventilation and natural cooling, allowing interiors to remain comfortable in the warm and humid coastal environment. Outdoor living areas extend daily life beyond enclosed rooms, reinforcing a fluid relationship between built space and surrounding vegetation.

Material choices emphasize durability and simplicity, pairing robust structural elements with lighter components that filter light and air. Throughout the project, architecture is shaped by the interplay of shadow, wind, and changing daylight.

El Guayacan reflects an approach to residential architecture rooted in climate responsiveness, spatial calm, and careful site placement, allowing the project to integrate naturally with the landscape of Oaxaca’s Pacific coast.