Linear Pavilion with Multiple Openings
reyes ríos + larraín arquitectos
The Gulf of Mexico, viewed from the Yucatán Peninsula, gleams darkly under the intense sun. Rising from the ground, the San Bruno Beach House is clad in dry, rose-tinted ocher and quietly overlooks the sea through a series of openings and closings. The 1,460m² site, 10 meters wide and elongated, is occupied by dispersed pavilions that guide the flow of sea breezes and offer views of the surrounding landscape from multiple angles.
The simple linear volumes are staggered with gaps to preserve sightlines. Pergola-style roofs act as viewpoints, capturing fleeting moments shaped by the shifting light and movement of nature. The design demonstrates integration and harmony while respecting the surrounding environment. The pavilions are supported on concrete piles facing the sea and resting on the sand dunes behind, a choice that minimizes environmental impact. At the southern entrance, the pavilions contain bedrooms, small kitchens, bathrooms, and storage. Living areas are compactly arranged, and half-open corridors and stairs create a three-dimensional circulation where horizontal and vertical flows intersect. Linear courtyards between the pavilions are dotted with hammocks, evoking moments of rest and leisure in nature. The size and position of openings are designed to naturally control light and ventilation, allowing the spaces to open or close according to the variable coastal climate.
Locally sourced natural materials contrast with industrial elements. All interior and exterior walls are finished in stucco, a cement-based mortar mixed with mineral pigments. Durable enough to require no additional painting, the finish offers a sustainable solution that reduces maintenance needs under the harsh climatic conditions of the Yucatán coast.
Project: San Bruno Beach House / Location: Telchac, Yucatán, Mexico / Architect: reyes ríos + larraín arquitectos / Project team: Salvador Reyes Ríos, Josefina Larraín Lagos, Andrés Saenz Coral / General contractor: Alberto Esquivel, Diego Caamal / Use: house / Bldg. area: 650m² / Design: 2021 / Completion: 2024 / Photograph: ©Edmund Sumner (courtesy of the architect); ©Diego S. Reyes Larraín (courtesy of the architect)
