Pause A While

Perched on a slope within the idyllic Mexican wilderness, the paradise that is Tepoztlán is situated 50 km from Mexico City in the state of Morelos. It is here that Tepoztlán Lounge, a holiday retreat built recently by architects Cadaval & Solà-Morales, finds its home.

- Ar. Priti Kalra

Tepoztlán is a small picturesque burg blessed with fantastic weather conditions that vary from temperate to subtropical, and a rich historical legacy that began over 1200 years ago with the birth of Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent god widely worshipped in ancient Mexico. Built on the foundation of its pre-Hispanic origins, the town boasts of a unique character which brings swarms of visitors to its doorstep. Intellectual thinkers and imaginative dreamers alike come to soak in the exquisite charm and pleasant climate that Tepoztlán has to offer.

The site sits amidst timber and shrubbery, and opens out to breathtaking views of the adjoining valley. The jungle bungalow is built on a predominantly flat patch of land and is the first of a series of cabins to be constructed at the location. Designed by the same studio, an area for common use which includes a large garden, a lounge and a pool neighbours the bungalow.

The form of the building, in essence, is a skewed polygonal glass box encased in a bold concrete shell. The front façade is transparent and interacts with the sloping landscape. The rear façade is opaque, pierced only by three indisputably vital openings. The sides of the framed box are completely shut off from the surroundings, ensuring privacy from succeeding cabins. The planning requirements of the area outline a structure that ‘minimises its visual impact on the landscape’. In adherence to this norm, the exterior of the bungalow is painted a discreet black.