| La Casa Que Canta - The Architectural Renaissance in Zihuatanejo |
by Gayna Uransky
November 2003
Perhaps it began with the design of the Hotel Villa del Sol, intimate, natural. No flash or garish qualities. But it may have been the ideas of Nicole Dugal, who ran a tiny boutique at the Villa del Sol. Subsequently she operated a small bed-and-breakfast hotel on Madera Beach. It was at this time that she showed me a book entitled La Casa Que Canta, the “House that Sings.” The book was a photographic essay on rural Mexican architecture, replete with adobe bricks, smooth arches, walls made of woven twigs, walls with straw and mud. Form following function that would make the Bauhaus movement proud. The materials were garnered directly from Nature. Nicole was inspired.
Nicole found financial backing and creative agreement in owners Jacques and Yvonne Baldassari, and together with noted Mexican architects Enrique Muller and Enrique Zozaya they orchestrated the hotel on the north end of La Ropa Beach, that is “La Casa Que Canta.” Opened in January 1992, it is truly one of the most well-designed, and inspirational hotels in the area, and possibly the world. It perches spectacularly on the edge of a cliff, giving panoramic views of Zihuatanejo Bay, waves crashing dramatically at its’ base.
At once stylish and sophisticated yet in complete harmony with its surroundings. Fashioned entirely of natural materials, designed with very little glass or metal. Straw shows through in the texture of some of the adobe walls. The thatched roof of the lobby is a marvel of grace as palapa-palms lashed to poles arch upward. Even the stairs down to the dining area have a texture wrought by many young men chopping musically with their machetes on the already-hardened concrete. So easily over-looked. Stairs are to walk upon. Yet a glance downward tells us so much about the thought that went into the details of design.
As the floor of the lobby was about to be poured, Nicole saw a tree-stump and had it sliced into cross-sections to be embedded into the concrete of the floor. The Palo de Brazil wood inlay technique was born. Fantastic natural texture! Now many floors in Zihuatanejo have copied this texture. Imitation is the highest form of flattery. Adding to the décor is the abundance of art, Mexican folk art and furnishing, hand painted tiles, mosaics and ceramics, whimsical, charming and colorful.
And what effect has the construction of this magnificent, inherently Mexican hotel had on the construction which has followed? All it takes to know the answer is a walk around Zihuatanejo. Instead of the tall, glass-encrusted hotels of Ixtapa, you will find earth-colored, open-air, palapa-palm roofed gems, both hotels, private villas, and even restaurants. See the new lobby at the Villa del Sol. Gaze up at the private villas at both the north and south ends of the La Ropa beach. Even look at the innovations in design at Porto di Mare Restaurant on the waterfront in downtown Zihuatanejo. You may even want to go out to Troncones to see Nicole’s latest venture, Piedra del Sol. With all of these we are reminded of the beauty inherent in the earth.
La Casa Que Canta has recently completed a renovation and this year added a new private residence. A private four-bedroom villa, located below the hotel at the foot of the cliff, “El Murmullo”, already one of the more spectacular seaside villas on the Mexican Pacific Coast, now refurbished to La Casa Que Canta specifications. Located at the very center of Zihuatanejo Bay it affords breathtaking 180 degree views and has direct access to La Ropa beach. It comes fully staffed with butler, chef, concierge and chambermaids. The residence offers large living areas, pool and entertaining areas and four luxuriously spacious suites with private terraces with pools or jacuzzis, the villa can be rented as a complete residence or by individual suite.
Working in harmony with nature has produced a new architectural renaissance, thoroughly Mexican and thoroughly embraced in Zihuatanejo.
La Casa Que Canta
Camino Escénico a Playa La Ropa s/n
Zihuatanejo, Gro. Mexico C.P. 40880
Tel: (755) 555 70 30 Fax: (755) 554-7900 www.lacasaquecanta.com |
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