A minimalist concrete beach house in Mexico
Casa NU in Mexico is a minimalist concrete beach house where the interior design engages with the Pacific Ocean
The Pacific coast of the state of Guerrero, Mexico, isn’t known for its architecture. Yet it is there that Casa NU, a minimalist concrete beach house, was designed by an architect and built for surfers. With a floor area of 100 square meters, it is not a large house in terms of its footprint, but rather for its extraordinary architecture.
Architect Chris Luce chose concrete for a simple reason: it withstands salt, humidity, and the whims of the Pacific. It also ages well. The concrete at Casa NU hides nothing, and its texture remains visible, almost tactile.
Inside, the color palette is limited to three shades: the off-white of the walls, the gray of the polished cement floor, and the warm brown of the local wood used for the woodwork and furniture. This trio is enough. The living room is minimalist. A sofa, a few cushions, a wooden coffee table, two vintage black leather armchairs. Light streams in through large sliding glass doors that open directly onto the outdoors. When the panels slide open, the room and the terrace become a single space. The kitchen follows the same logic. Its countertop is made of polished concrete, the cabinet fronts are made of wood without handles, and the built-in lighting is discreet. The materials do all the decorative work.
A concrete staircase leads to the single bedroom. Here, too, there is no clutter. Inside, you’ll find a bed, a nightstand, and a ceiling fan. The windows open onto the vegetation or the horizon. The decor relies on volumes and natural light rather than objects. An outdoor shower made of local stone extends the main bathroom.
Tropical vegetation overflows all around the building. The architect did not seek to tame it. A few palm trees grow freely against the north facade. Bougainvilleas climb unchecked. The wood used for exterior joinery comes from locally managed forests. The green roof on part of the building insulates against heat and collects rainwater. These choices are not marketing gimmicks. They tangibly change the atmosphere of the house.
Casa NU demonstrates something often overlooked in interior design: the environment can do the work for you. No heavy curtains, no unnecessary partitions, no decorative objects. The sea is right there, just a few meters away. The vegetation shields you from the outside world, why ask for more?
This minimalist concrete beach house in Mexico is available for rent through Airbnb
A brutalist style that blends into nature
Architect Chris Luce chose concrete for a simple reason: it withstands salt, humidity, and the whims of the Pacific. It also ages well. The concrete at Casa NU hides nothing, and its texture remains visible, almost tactile.
Interior design: the art of minimalism
Inside, the color palette is limited to three shades: the off-white of the walls, the gray of the polished cement floor, and the warm brown of the local wood used for the woodwork and furniture. This trio is enough. The living room is minimalist. A sofa, a few cushions, a wooden coffee table, two vintage black leather armchairs. Light streams in through large sliding glass doors that open directly onto the outdoors. When the panels slide open, the room and the terrace become a single space. The kitchen follows the same logic. Its countertop is made of polished concrete, the cabinet fronts are made of wood without handles, and the built-in lighting is discreet. The materials do all the decorative work.
The bedroom: sleeping to the sound of the waves
A concrete staircase leads to the single bedroom. Here, too, there is no clutter. Inside, you’ll find a bed, a nightstand, and a ceiling fan. The windows open onto the vegetation or the horizon. The decor relies on volumes and natural light rather than objects. An outdoor shower made of local stone extends the main bathroom.
The environment as chief decorator
Tropical vegetation overflows all around the building. The architect did not seek to tame it. A few palm trees grow freely against the north facade. Bougainvilleas climb unchecked. The wood used for exterior joinery comes from locally managed forests. The green roof on part of the building insulates against heat and collects rainwater. These choices are not marketing gimmicks. They tangibly change the atmosphere of the house.
A lesson in style
Casa NU demonstrates something often overlooked in interior design: the environment can do the work for you. No heavy curtains, no unnecessary partitions, no decorative objects. The sea is right there, just a few meters away. The vegetation shields you from the outside world, why ask for more?
This minimalist concrete beach house in Mexico is available for rent through Airbnb
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