Casa Yuri by Zozaya Arquitectos
Casa Yuri in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico is a house designed by Zozaya Arquitectos. The generous, expansive residence reinterprets the Zihuatanejo vernacular in a bold, contemporary language designed to celebrate the surrounding oceanfront landscape. The property features a lushly landscaped pedestrian ramp leading to a motor lobby and includes a variety of uniquely constructed spaces, most notably the largest palapa ever built by Zozaya Arquitectos for a private residence.
Generous Scale of Casa Yuri Ensures Immediate Impact
Casa Yuri was born from an ambitious vision: a generous, expansive residence with a complex program, set on a breathtaking 2,200 m² oceanfront site. The client granted us full creative freedom to reinterpret the Zihuatanejo vernacular in a bold, contemporary language deeply rooted in the landscape.
Design Strategically Maximizes Sleek Topography
From the very first sketch, the design sought to maximize the potential of the topography. A lushly landscaped pedestrian ramp leads visitors to a motor lobby that orchestrates the house’s circulation: access to the garage, machine rooms, and cisterns. From here, two distinct paths emerge — a discreet service entrance to the kitchen, laundry, and staff quarters, and a grand sculptural staircase that ascends dramatically, unveiling sweeping views of the Pacific.
Largest Palapa Ever Built by ZAR Embodies Aesthetics and Functionality
At the top, an open-air vestibule connects the private quarters with the heart of the home: the great palapa. This commanding structure — the largest palapa ZAR has ever built for a private residence — spans more than 17 meters (55.8 feet) in diameter, rising over 11 meters (36.1 feet) at its lowest point. Its framework is a symphony of reinforced concrete columns, palm wood, and steel, engineered with tension cables and hurricane anchor systems to withstand coastal storms while maintaining a sense of effortless elegance.
A Sculptural Heart Incorporates Several Inclusive Spaces
Beneath its vast canopy, life unfolds: the main dining area, a bar and grill zone, a secondary dining space, the principal lounge, and a series of shaded lounging spots alongside a pool that appears to hover in midair. Suspended on concrete cantilevers, the pool was designed to minimize site impact and preserve the natural terrain.
Dedicated Spaces Designed Close to the Sea Emphasize Immersion With Nature
From the palapa, an open staircase descends into the lower level — home to the study, gym, and sauna, as well as the principal suite and pool machinery room. Positioned closest to the sea, this level offers an immersive experience: the sound and sight of waves crashing against the cliffs become an integral part of daily life.
Considerate Design Provides a Contemplative Experience
On the main level, three en-suite guest rooms line the southern edge of the property, connected by a covered portico shaded by the upper deck of the rooms above. This corridor, framed by the Pacific, is one of the home’s most contemplative spaces.
Striking Steel Pergola Suspended in Air Achieved by Strategic Engineering
The upper level houses two additional suites with a shared terrace and a striking steel pergola suspended in air — achieved through beams that span the entire bedroom volume. A playroom, garden with grill, and a second pool for children complete this elevated retreat.
Construction Challenges Addressed Tactfully Through Engineering
The construction posed significant technical challenges. To embed the home into the terrain with minimal disruption, blasting was required in certain areas to achieve proper foundation depth. Though the process was slower than anticipated, the outcome was exceptional — a house that settles into the cliffside with confidence and grace.
Materials Celebrate Zihuatanejo Spirit And Context
The material palette celebrates the Zihuatanejo spirit: a palm-thatched palapa roof, wooden ceilings, handcrafted parota wood carpentry, river stones for floors and trim, IP wood decks, and chukum-style plasters. A bush-hammered Vermont beige marble was used throughout the residence, chosen for its beauty and anti-slip properties — a decision the client greatly appreciated, especially with young children in the home.
Landscape Design Introduces Native Plant Palette That Soothes Visual Impact
The landscape design, by Entorno (Mexico City), introduced a native planting palette with flowering species and several green roofs that soften the visual impact of the construction and enhance the sensory experience throughout the property.
Sustainable Approach Incorporates Bioclimatic Principles
From a sustainability perspective, Casa Yuri embraces bioclimatic architecture: cross-ventilation, thick walls, elevated roofs, and deep overhangs keep the home cool while minimizing AC use. A wastewater treatment system recycles water for irrigation, reinforcing the project’s commitment to responsible luxury.
Ambitious Residence Dialogues with Terrain and Ocean, Completed in Just 18 Months
Casa Yuri stands as one of ZAR’s most extensive and technically ambitious residences — a powerful dialogue between architecture, terrain, and the Pacific Ocean, completed in just 18 months. A home designed not just to inhabit space, but to celebrate it.
Photography by Cesar Belio
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