Inside a cave-like home inspired by Mexican cenotes
Described by its architects Mario Avila and Carla Osorio, the founders of Mexican studio Espacio 18 Arquitectura, as a ‘habitable sculpture’, Villa Cava’s design was inspired by cenotes – ancient water-filled limestone caves that are a geological feature of the Yucatán Peninsula.
The villa pays tribute to these wells, transforming them into an architectural statement and a totally unique home for an adventurous Canadian couple.
The house is designed as a series of sleek, geometric blocks, all cast in concrete (a durable material that responds well to Tulum’s humid climate and can also withstand hurricane season), with two swimming pools ingeniously integrated into the robust structure.
There’s a swim-up pool that seamlessly extends into the living area, and a second pool on the roof, visible from the entrance hall below through a circular skylight. This feature not only draws the eye upward, mimicking the vast opening of a cenote, but also bathes the interior in a serene, blue-tinged light that enhances the cavernous atmosphere.
Inside, interior designer Kayla Pongrac has juxtaposed the cool austerity of concrete with warming timber, using light maple wood and neutral furniture in the open-plan kitchen and living spaces.
Bedrooms and bathrooms benefit from lofty nine-metre-high ceilings and carefully placed skylights, softening the otherwise function-first design choices. Finally, on the rooftop, panoramic views of the jungle are framed by a circular concrete porthole.
Bold and brave, Villa Cava is more than the sum of its parts. It is a testament to architectural creativity and respect for its spectacular natural setting – a sanctuary that confidently plays with light, space, and materiality to create a dynamic living experience. @espacio18
