Mixed-use building by Barde vanVoltt reflects "slower rhythm" of Baja California
Dutch design studio Barde vanVoltt has completed a building in San José del Cabo, Mexico, which includes a chukum-lined community cafe at street level and residences above.
The boutique Estero development by Oeste Works includes the ground-level Gamba cafe and three floors, each containing two residences.
Barde vanVoltt shaped the architectural and spatial identity of the project, working in close collaboration with construction partner Arquipartners.
"The architecture is defined by a sculptural composition of horizontal volumes and vertical columns, with rounded balconies and deep overhangs that create a soft interplay of light and shadow throughout the day," said Barde vanVoltt.
Throughout the project, the primary materials include yellow-tinted chukum plaster, which "reflects the desert light beautifully during the day and creates a soft, calm atmosphere throughout the interiors", according to studio co-founder Valérie Boerma.
This is paired with rosa morada, a wood variety typical of the region. "
Compared to oak, it has a warmer and more sun-kissed appearance that feels naturally connected to Cabo," Boerma continued.
"Together, these materials create a sense of warmth and quietness that feels aligned with the slower rhythm and outdoor lifestyle of Baja California Sur," she added.
The L-shaped structure abuts the street at the end of its longer wing, forming a courtyard space in the building's crook that's used as an outdoor seating area for the cafe.
This sheltered nook is surrounded by raised planters behind built-in benches, accompanied by circular metal cafe tables and minimalist chairs.
Vertical glass panels pivot open to allow access to the exterior and air to flow through the interior's central seating space.
Here, a central double-sided banquette with black-upholstered cushions creates a row of two-top tables on either side.
A bar area with further seating is located in front of the central kitchen, and a lounge at the back is tucked behind a wood and glass partition beside a surfboard rack.
"We developed custom sofas, tables, shelving systems, beds and kitchen elements to create a cohesive architectural language throughout the project," said Boerma.
Upstairs, the residences each occupy a wing of the L, while the building's staircase is located in the corner of the intersection.
Studio apartments at the front have balconies that face the street, while the two-bedroom homes are set back and overlook the courtyard.
"The interiors of the residences follow the same design language as Gamba cafe," said Boerma.
"We translated the architectural rhythm of the building into the interiors through custom furniture, soft curves and a restrained material palette."
On the roof, one private terrace and another for the remaining residents both feature small, narrow swimming pools, providing places to cool off in the year-round warm weather.
Steps up to the pools sit in between low planters and built-in benches, while additional seating is provided by loungers and around tables for dining al-fresco after cooking on the grills.
"The project reflects a broader shift happening in San José del Cabo, where design, hospitality and community are becoming increasingly intertwined," Boerma said.
"Rather than creating a purely mixed-use development project, we wanted to design a place that contributes something back to the neighbourhood and encourages connection through everyday rituals and shared spaces."
Barde vanVoltt was co-founded by Boerma and Bart van Seggelen, who have worked extensively in both Mexico and the Netherlands. In the former, the studio recently completed a two-level penthouse in Mexico City designed as a "brutalist sanctuary".
Meanwhile, a coffee showroom in Amsterdam and a historic home renovation in Haarlem are amongst the studio's latest projects in its home country.
The photography is by Zaickz Moz.
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