sijil converts a replica pyramid of the tulum castle into vacation home in mexico

SIJIL arranges a symmetrical open plan for Casa Caracol

Casa Caracol by SIJIL transforms a replica pyramid of the Tulum castle in Mexico into a vacation living space. The design achieves a symmetrical open plan with a central board of nine bays, creating a spacious interior. The main entrance is oriented to the Northwest and features a carved wooden jaguar illuminated by a circular window. Exposed concrete shapes up this naturally-lit resting area. The living zone, ‘inspired by a snake feathered in stone and coiled’, forms a simple geometric composition adorned with stepped levels. Rigoberto Orozco’s artwork, inspired by Sian Ka’an’s ‘Heaven’, and a concrete sculpture by the same artist complement the space.

all images by Jaime Navarro

sculptural compositions shape Casa Caracol’s living areas

A large sculpted table is anchored to the floor and cantilevers, symbolizing opposites of weight and lightness. Between the private bedrooms and the table is a double-height space where a statue of a seated man raises his hands in gratitude generating tension towards the installation of the sculpture by Luciano Matus, a suspended bronze ‘metate hand’. The composition resembles the inverted shape of the pyramid with a line. Bedrooms feature simple stone finishes, with the master bedroom boasting a monolithic onyx tub and sauna, while the guest bedroom incorporates a pool on a Spanish patio. SIJIL artfully reinterprets the past while bridging connections with the present.

SIJIL transforms a replica pyramid of the Tulum castle into a vacation living space

circular windows pierce through the entrance area

Casa Caracol showcases a stone-built exterior

the guest bedroom incorporates a pool on a Spanish patio

the living zone forms a simple geometric composition

a large sculpted table is anchored to the floor and cantilevers

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the master bedroom boasts a monolithic onyx tub and sauna

a bronze 'metate hand' sculpture by Luciano Matus suspends in the double-height space

a statue of a seated man raises his hands in gratitude generating tension towards the installation

project info:

name: Casa Caracol
architect: SIJIL | @sijilmx

design team: Rigoberto Orozco, Carlos Morales

communication: area colectiva

location: Tulum, Mexico

photography: Jaime Navarro | @jaimenavarrophotography

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom