{"id":345,"date":"2025-06-13T10:40:13","date_gmt":"2025-06-13T10:40:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.macdolphins.org\/?p=345"},"modified":"2025-06-16T10:13:54","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T10:13:54","slug":"crab-shell-dwelling-by-espacio-18-steps-down-the-oaxacan-cliffs-in-mexico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.macdolphins.org\/index.php\/2025\/06\/13\/crab-shell-dwelling-by-espacio-18-steps-down-the-oaxacan-cliffs-in-mexico\/","title":{"rendered":"crab-shell dwelling by espacio 18 steps down the oaxacan cliffs in mexico"},"content":{"rendered":"

Casa Tobi embraces primitive architectural gestures in oaxaca<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nMexican architecture studio Espacio 18<\/strong><\/a> unveils Casa Tobi, a residential<\/strong><\/a> project nestled on a steep coastal slope near Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca<\/strong><\/a>. The house descends westward in staggered levels, framing expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and capturing the region’s sunsets. Drawing inspiration from Sou Fujimoto’s<\/strong><\/a> writings on the evolution of architecture through primitive spatial principles, the project reimagines traditional forms through a contemporary lens. Its structure and materials \u2014 earth-toned concrete<\/strong><\/a> and stone<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 evoke the shell of a crab emerging from the rocks, at once blending into the arid landscape and expressing a tactile presence.<\/p>\n

\"\"
all images by C\u00e9sar Bejar<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Espacio 18 crafts sensory sequence of space and form<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nEspacio 18 organizes the home around a rhythmic play of compression and expansion. Upon entering at the upper level, visitors are greeted by a terrace and reflecting pool that mirrors the surrounding jungle and sky. From here, a narrow, shaded walkway guides the descent \u2014 its proportions intentionally tight, echoing the feeling of a cave \u2014 until it opens into a double-height living space. In this central zone, the architects have arranged a study, kitchen, dining area, lounge, pool, and fire pit, all oriented to maximize views and natural ventilation. The Oaxaca-based architecture studio’s<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 design favors both communal living and adaptability, allowing the home to respond to shifting uses over time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nFollowing the site’s natural contours, Casa Tobi steps gradually down the slope, integrating into the terrain while providing layered views at every level. The lower floor houses the bedrooms, where treetop canopies offer privacy and a close relationship with the surrounding vegetation. Materials are chosen to reinforce this connection: the reddish tones of the walls recall the colors of the setting sun, while water features\u2014positioned throughout the property\u2014cool the air and echo the geological formations of Hierve el Agua. The design prioritizes environmental responsiveness, grounding the home in its coastal setting.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\"\"
Casa Tobi is nestled on a steep coastal slope near Puerto Escondido<\/p>\n

\"\"
the house descends westward in staggered levels<\/p>\n

\"\"
the shape and materiality evoke the shell of a crab<\/p>\n

\"\"
visitors are greeted by a terrace and reflecting pool<\/p>\n

\t<\/p>\n

\n

\t\t\"crab-shell-dwelling-espacio-18-steps-oaxacan-cliffs-mexico-designboom-full-width-01\"<\/p>\n

\n
\n

the house descends westward in staggered levels, framing expansive views of the Pacific Ocean<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

\t\t<\/p>\n

\"\"
panoramic ocean views are reflected in the still surface of the upper-level pool<\/p>\n

\"\"
the dwelling blends into the arid landscape<\/p>\n

\"\"
Casa Tobi steps gradually down the slope, integrating into the terrain<\/p>\n

\"\"
the dwelling follows the site\u2019s natural contours<\/p>\n

\"\"
water features throughout the house reference the petrified waterfalls of Hierve el Agua<\/p>\n

\"\"
the structure\u2019s textured surfaces evoke the shell of a crab<\/p>\n

\"\"
interior materials in earth tones evoke the coastal landscape<\/p>\n

\"\"
the interior layout promotes both social gathering and quiet reflection<\/p>\n

\"\"
furniture and finishes reflect a restrained palette, complementing the architectural language<\/p>\n

\t<\/p>\n

\n

\t\t\"crab-shell-dwelling-espacio-18-steps-oaxacan-cliffs-mexico-designboom-full-02\"<\/p>\n

\n
\n

bedrooms on the lower floor sit among the treetops, offering an intimate connection with nature<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

\t\t<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

project info:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nname:<\/strong> Casa Tobi | @casatobi<\/a>
\narchitects: <\/strong>Espacio 18<\/a> | @espacio18<\/a>
\narchitect in charge:<\/strong> Espacio 18 Arquitectura, Karina Flores, Jes\u00fas Pi\u00f1a
\nteam:<\/strong> Mario \u00c1vila, Carla Osorio, Jes\u00fas P\u00ef\u00f1a, Karina Flores, Noemie Coquil, Leslie Tamayo, Paola Alavez, Sonia Morales
\nlocation:<\/strong> Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
\narea:<\/strong> 255 sqm
\nphotography:<\/strong> C\u00e9sar Bejar<\/a> | @cesarbejarstudio<\/a><\/p>\n

The post crab-shell dwelling by espacio 18 steps down the oaxacan cliffs in mexico<\/a> appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Casa Tobi embraces primitive architectural gestures in oaxaca   Mexican […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":347,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[12],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.macdolphins.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/345"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.macdolphins.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.macdolphins.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.macdolphins.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.macdolphins.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=345"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.macdolphins.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/345\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":362,"href":"http:\/\/www.macdolphins.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/345\/revisions\/362"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.macdolphins.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/347"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.macdolphins.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=345"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.macdolphins.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=345"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.macdolphins.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=345"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}