Previously overlooked because of its endless number of sun-kissed beaches and imposing Mayan monuments, the sleepy yet charming hinterland of the Mexican state of Yucatán is deservingly becoming a destination in its own right. Anticipating the increasing influx of visitors from home and abroad in charming local style is the newly opened Galopina guest house in Seyé, a small town just outside the state capital Mérida. Set in low yucatecan jungle within the Ring of Cenotes state reserve – it’s very likely that this expansive patch of land will be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in the future – the property is situated on a 40m x 80m (131 ft. x 263 ft.) plot which once was part of a farm where henequén, or Yucatán sisal, has been grown for decades.
Designed by local architecture practice TACO, the design process started with the selection of the Galopina‘s location which is close to both the state capital city and a string of points of interest. Interestingly, the plot of land featured many references and marks indicating its former agricultural purpose, including a path that runs across the exact centre of the land and a small hill composed of Sascab, a building material used by ancient Mayans, and suitable as the location for lodgings with a distinctive look and feel. The land was then cleared of weeds, but the trees have been retained. The main house sits on the southern half and accommodates Galopina‘s social spaces, such as the kitchen, dining room, living room, and terrace, but also the main bedroom and both the support and service area.
Right behind the main house, ensconced in the slope of the hill and semi-enclosed by a curved wall, sits a circular dipping pool. A staircase leads to a small bridge that crosses the aforementioned trail and connects to a path towards the guest rooms in Galopina‘s northern section. Two are embedded in the slopes of the hill, which have an evident relationship with the earth in the form of caves, and two at the top of the hill, offering sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. The geometric dimensions of the lodgings are intentional and aim to signal human intervention, and as such, to evoke a feeling of shelter within the wild landscape. The materials and finishes are simple and common sense, but also selected for their ability to reinforce the sense of belonging to the place and the capacity of aging with dignity.
Galopina
Carretera Seyé-Acanceh
97570 Seyé
Telephone: +52 999 6181037
Publishers Note
Just to be clear – superfuture® is a design blog and not a political commentator. No surprise there. The scope of our content has always been global and borderless, however that can often mean covering projects in countries where we will not agree with the politics or actions of those countries. In a world that’s as screwed up as ever right now, the focus of our support is to those designers, architects and other creatives who aim to make the world a more liveable one – as opposed to people that try their hardest to destroy it. So if a project hits our desk and we like it based on its design credentials, we may choose to publish regardless of its location or creators nationality. superfuture® has always been inclusive and hopes for all current wars, aggression, violence, hate and extremism to end.
