Barde vanVoltt completes mixed-use Estero in San José del Cabo

Barde vanVoltt, a Dutch design studio, has finalized Estero, a mixed-use development in San José del Cabo, Mexico, for Oeste Works. This L-shaped building includes a community café named Gamba on the ground floor and six residences spread over three levels. Collaborating with local construction firm Arquipartners, the design incorporates horizontal forms, vertical supports, rounded balconies, and deep overhangs that create dynamic light and shadow effects. Key materials used are yellow-tinted chukum plaster and rosa morada wood, which is warmer than oak. Co-founder Valérie Boerma emphasized that these materials reflect the outdoor lifestyle of Baja California Sur. The café features a courtyard with raised planters and custom furniture. Upstairs, studio apartments face the street, while two-bedroom units overlook the courtyard, with rooftop terraces offering small pools and loungers. Boerma described the project as emblematic of a trend in San José del Cabo where design, hospitality, and community converge. Barde vanVoltt was established by Boerma and Bart van Seggelen, who have significant experience in both Mexico and the Netherlands. Photography by Zaickz Moz.