Desert landscape with modern house, trees, and cactus.

A desert landscape with a modern house partially visible behind trees and a large cactus in the foreground.

A courtyard with gravel paths and sparse desert vegetation, flanked by buildings with wooden doors and clay-tiled roofs.
A modern house exterior with a clay tile roof and textured concrete walls, featuring a gravel courtyard with large rocks.
A modern house with a sloped tile roof and beige walls, surrounded by a gravel landscape with rocks and sparse desert plants.
A modern house with a clay tile roof and wooden elements, surrounded by a desert landscape with sparse vegetation and a clear blue sky.
A minimalist exterior view of a house with two sections featuring sloped clay tile roofs. The landscape includes gravel, sparse vegetation, and a few potted plants.
A modern house with a courtyard featuring gravel and sparse vegetation, surrounded by buildings with wooden and clay roofs. A person is walking along a pathway.
A modern house with light-colored walls and a tiled roof, surrounded by a gravel landscape with sparse desert vegetation.
A courtyard with gravel ground surrounded by two buildings with clay-tiled roofs. The area is landscaped with desert plants and shrubs.
A modern house with an expansive patio area featuring lounge chairs and a swimming pool, set against a backdrop of hills and desert vegetation.
A modern house exterior with a minimalist design featuring a flat roof and a sandy-colored facade. The landscape includes desert plants such as cacti and agave, with a pathway leading to the entrance.
An open-plan kitchen and dining area with wooden cabinetry and a large island, leading to an outdoor courtyard with gravel and desert plants. The space features a slanted wooden roof and large sliding glass doors.
A walkway with a wooden overhang and a row of vertical concrete elements on one side, leading to an open courtyard with gravel and sparse vegetation.
A modern open-plan kitchen and dining area with wooden cabinetry and a large dining table, featuring a view of the outdoors through large openings.
A modern interior space featuring a wooden dining table with chairs, an open kitchen with wooden cabinetry, and a view of an outdoor area with a grill and natural landscape.
A modern interior space featuring a seating area with light-colored cushions and wooden furniture. The room has a wooden ceiling and a large open entrance, creating a seamless connection with the outdoor environment.
Interior view of a modern dining area with a wooden ceiling, a large dining table with chairs, and a stone fireplace. The space is open to the outdoors with large sliding doors.
Interior view of a modern house featuring a wooden ceiling with exposed beams, a large dining table with chairs, a comfortable seating area with a sofa, and a colorful painting on the wall. The space opens to an outdoor area with lounge chairs and greenery.
Interior view of a living space with wooden ceiling beams, a large concrete column, and comfortable seating. A dining area with a wooden table and chairs is visible in the background.
Interior view of a living space featuring a wooden ceiling with exposed beams, a ceiling fan, a large maroon sectional sofa, a wooden coffee table, and a wall-mounted television. Light filters through sheer curtains, creating a warm atmosphere.
A hallway with wooden paneling on one side and sheer curtains on the other, under a wooden ceiling with exposed beams.
A bedroom interior with two neatly made beds, wooden ceiling beams, and a wooden wall. A small window and a door open to an outdoor view.
Architectural floor plan of a house with multiple rooms and outdoor spaces.
Architectural floor plan showing the layout of a house with two L-shaped roofs and various rectangular volumes.

Story

A residence harmonizing with the Los Cabos landscape Nestled in the hills of Los Cabos, the House in Palmilla is a testament to architectural sensitivity towards climate and context. The design, orchestrated by Ignacio Urquiza Arquitectos and Ana Paula de Alba, is defined by two L-shaped roofs that shelter four independent volumes. These volumes are arranged around a central trapezoidal courtyard, creating a dynamic spatial dialogue. The roofs, crafted from wood and clay, extend with 2.1-meter-deep overhangs, casting generous shadows that enhance thermal performance. This thoughtful design ensures that the house remains cool, an essential feature in the sun-drenched landscape of Los Cabos. Each volume within the residence serves a distinct function. The service areas, guest accommodations, and the main suite are strategically placed to maximize privacy and functionality. The living spaces, with their expansive glazed openings, seamlessly connect the interior with the exterior, offering views of the Sea of San José. Material choices further complement the design's climatic considerations. A palette of sand-colored textured concrete, structural laminated oak, and integrated carpentry elements creates a cohesive aesthetic that resonates with the surrounding environment.

## Design Highlights

Two L-shaped roofs with deep overhangs for shade and cooling Central trapezoidal courtyard that organizes the spatial layout Distinct volumes for service, guest, and living areas Expansive glazed openings for seamless indoor-outdoor transitions Neutral material palette enhancing the natural setting

## Key Facts

Feature Description
Location Los Cabos, Mexico
Architects Ignacio Urquiza Arquitectos, Ana Paula de Alba
Year Completed 2026
Materials Wood, clay, sand-colored concrete, laminated oak
Key Elements L-shaped roofs, central courtyard, glazed openings

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • Roof: Lightweight roofs resolved in wood and clay tiles.
  • Walls: Sand-colored textured concrete walls.

Materials

  • Wood — Roof and interior elements.
  • Clay — Roof tiles.
  • Concrete — Walls and structural elements.

Construction / Systems

  • Roof system: Two L-shaped roofs with perimeter overhangs for shading.
  • Structural system: Independent volumes beneath L-shaped roofs.

Products

  • Not specified

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: Sand-colored, Neutral tones
  • Lighting: Soft daylight filtering through apertures.

Similar projects

More residential

Projects by the architect

View Ignacio Urquiza . de Alba

No other projects found for this architect yet.