Vipp Todos Santos is a Mexican Guesthouse by Studio PPAA
Set against the striking backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, Vipp Todos Santos in Mexico is a guesthouse designed by PPAA Pérez Palacios Arquitectos Asociados completed in 2024. This 350-square-metre house features a sophisticated blend of Mexican and Scandinavian design traditions.
A mix of Mexican and Scandinavian design
Designed by architect Pablo Pérez Palacios and his Mexico City studio, PPAA, this guesthouse is set against the striking backdrop of the Pacific Ocean and dusty streets dotted with towering cacti.
The architecture is a sophisticated mix of Mexican warmth and Scandinavian coolness, reflecting the unique blend of topographies, history, and influences present in Todos Santos. Architect Pablo Pérez Palacios describes the design approach as respecting local traditions while creating an architectural language that blends harmoniously with the surrounding landscape.
An architectural jewel in Todos Santos
Measuring 350 square meters (about 3,770 square feet), the structure includes a main house, two attached guesthouses, a covered patio, a rooftop pool, and terraces. The design features a dynamic interplay of strategically placed volumes and exterior staircases that respond thoughtfully to the contours of the site.
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Vipp Todos Santos was built using natural materials from the surrounding area and traditional local construction techniques. The choice of rammed earth construction is perfectly suited to the climate of Todos Santos. The thick compressed earth walls provide natural insulation at night and keep the interior cool during the day. Left in their raw state, these sturdy walls shape both the exterior and interior of the building, creating a cohesive look that blends in with the landscape. Large windows frame panoramic views of the ocean and surrounding Cardones, drawing the tranquility of the outdoors into the living space.
The distinctive feature of Vipp Todos Santos is the circular rooftop pool, which offers guests a heavenly oasis with expansive ocean and sky views. In addition, the covered terrace is designed as the social center of the house, creating an inviting gathering space for guests day and night, year-round.
Serene interiors with Danish influences
For the interiors, Pérez Palacios worked closely with Sofie Christensen Egelund, Vipp’s third-generation, U.S.-based co-owner, and Julie Cloos Mølsgaard, a Copenhagen-based interior designer and longtime Vipp collaborator. Together, they created serene spaces with a focus on natural tones and textures, evoking a sense of tranquility and harmony.
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The interior design incorporates custom furniture and design details that honor local craftsmanship and weaving techniques, along with artwork, textiles and ceramics from the area. Each element of the house was carefully selected to complement the minimal material palette of earth, concrete, and wood.
Window shutters woven with branches of the local Palo de Arco tree add a handcrafted element to the building and cast shifting shadows in the space throughout the day. The open-plan living area boasts Vipp’s latest V3 kitchen in anodized aluminum. The kitchen’s sculptural silhouette, with extruded fronts and a sleek stainless steel countertop, adds charm and contrast to the rammed-earth walls. Complementing the kitchen, Vipp’s cabinetry, lighting, bath elements, and outdoor collections were carefully placed throughout the home, adding a touch of modern elegance to an otherwise warm and earthy interior.
A testament to the influence of global design
Vipp Todos Santos is Vipp’s tenth guesthouse and the first outside Europe. Sofie Christensen Egelund reflects on the brand’s journey, highlighting how Vipp has grown from a company with one design-the bin created by her grandfather in 1939-to a global following for furniture and kitchens. A commitment to integrity and longevity remains at the core of Vipp’s philosophy, evident in all aspects of the Vipp Todos Santos project.
Photography by Vipp
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