60 DIGS.NET
| 9.4.2020
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P R O F I L E | C A S A S I S A L
(FROM TOP) LIKE
THE REST OF CASA
SISAL, THE MODERN
KITCHEN BREATHES
AND COMPLEMENTS
THE OPENNESS OF
THE OVERALL SPACE.
THE STRUCTURE
LOOKS OUT TO
THE LARGE GREEN
EXPANSE THAT IS
LUSHLY APPOINTED
WITH ROYAL PALMS
AND WATER LILY
REFLECTING PONDS.
PHOTOGRAPHS:
COURTESY
OF
BOUTIQUEHOMES
T
he extravagance of architectural styles in Mexico—
buildings rich in characteristics, color and materials—
makes for a vibrant texture throughout the country. In
the state of Yucatan, in a small village outside its colonial-
style capital city of Mérida, Casa Sisal is one such work. An
homage to its historical and regional roots, the contemporary
building's striking white façade lends forceful clarity to its
clean lines and emerald-green expanse featuring royal
palms, water lily reflecting ponds and a pool as seemingly
edgeless as the sky.
The architecturally honored Casa Sisal is, in many
ways, a product of its anthropology. It is tucked away on
the property of a historic hacienda that, like many similar
W R I T T E N B Y J E N N T H O R N T O N
MAYA MODERN
In the land of Mexican architect Luis
Barragán, a contemporary casa with
historical references is a tribute to the
light and sky of Yucatan.
in the Yucatan, celebrates its origin as a
producer of henequén (sisal). Enclosed
by the hacienda's original 10-foot
walls, the 2,000-square-foot Casa Sisal
remains a world all its own, constructed
of hard woods, limestone and plaster
polished to a sleek finish by the ancient
Mayan technique chukum—all design
decisions made by local architect
Salvador Reyes Rios.
"We knew Salvador had a contemporary
leaning, as we do, so when we saw
preliminary sketches, we knew Casa
Sisal's modern aesthetic would be a
wonderful architectural addition to the
hacienda," says the owner, who, prior
to building the home, had traveled
extensively throughout Mexico and
therefore was sympathetic to and
understanding of its historical renovations.
"We always knew we would someday have
a home in Mexico, but always envisioned
the Pacific coast or colonial interior," she
continues. "The Yucatan became the
pure, isolated, uncomplicated Mexico that
we remembered from travels 30 years ago.
The combination of the historic and the
modern satisfies our aesthetics perfectly."
Placed at the far end of a drying field for
maximum privacy, and with a north/south
orientation that makes the most of cross
ventilation, Casa Sisal was "designed
to bring the outside in," says the owner,
noting the space's 10-foot ceiling and