Casa Macahuite: Tropical Brutalist Villa in Puerto Escondido

Casa Macahuite, a tropical brutalist Mexican villa designed by Studio Font, is located in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, accessible only by a bridge over a turquoise lagoon and opposite a protected turtle beach. The 300 sq m off-grid home is composed of five main planes—four vertical walls and a floating pergola—that provide shade, natural ventilation, and unobstructed views. The central pergola spans fourteen metres without intermediate supports, connecting two main volumes and serving as both entrance and main living space. The harsh environment—rough ocean, hot climate, earthquakes, hurricanes, and daily storms—informed the material and site choices. Solid grey concrete walls are warmed by wood and textiles, with parota wood furniture and Phenolic wall finishes. The building is positioned alongside existing vegetation to create a natural courtyard, and the architecture works as a framework rather than an enclosure. Founder Raquel Font emphasized the landscape as a central reference, ensuring every space maintains a direct relationship with the ocean and mountains. The house is fully off-grid and exemplifies a softer Mexican brutalism.