Project: Casa Yuri
Architecture: Zozaya Arquitectos
Lead Architect: Daniel Zozaya Valdes
Location: Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico
Area: 2172 m2
Year: 2025
Photo Credits: César Belio
Casa Yuri stands on a spectacular 2,200 m² oceanfront site in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, where Zozaya Arquitectos reinterprets the local vernacular in a bold and contemporary way. From the very first sketch, the goal was clear — to create a residence that celebrates the Pacific landscape while embracing the topography with confidence and grace.
Architecture and Site Integration
The design of Casa Yuri begins with a lushly landscaped ramp that guides visitors to a motor lobby. From this central point, circulation unfolds naturally: one discreet path leads to the service areas, while a grand sculptural staircase rises toward the ocean views. As one ascends, the horizon expands, revealing the full drama of the Pacific.
At the summit, the house opens to a breezy vestibule that connects private quarters with the heart of the residence — the great palapa. This open-air structure, more than 17 meters in diameter and rising over 11 meters, is the largest ever built by Zozaya Arquitectos. Reinforced concrete columns, palm wood, and steel come together in an elegant framework designed to withstand coastal storms while maintaining visual lightness.
The Heart of the Home
Under the vast palapa canopy, daily life unfolds with fluidity. The space integrates the main dining area, bar and grill, a secondary dining zone, and multiple lounges that spill toward the infinity pool. Suspended on concrete cantilevers, the pool seems to float over the cliffs, merging with the horizon. From here, the Pacific becomes both backdrop and participant in the home’s rhythm.
Below, an open staircase leads to the lower level, home to a study, gym, sauna, and the main suite. This intimate zone sits closest to the sea, allowing the sound and motion of the waves to become part of everyday life.
Upper Levels and Guest Spaces
On the main level, three en-suite guest rooms line the southern edge, connected by a covered portico shaded by the terraces above. The corridor frames striking ocean views and offers a contemplative walk along the property’s edge. The upper floor includes two additional suites sharing a terrace and a suspended steel pergola, a feat of engineering supported by beams that span the entire bedroom volume. A playroom, garden, and children’s pool complete this elevated retreat.
Material Expression and Construction
Casa Yuri embodies the craftsmanship and natural beauty of Zihuatanejo’s materials. Palm thatch roofs, handcrafted parota wood, river stones, and chukum-style plaster form a palette both timeless and tactile. Vermont beige marble adds refinement and safety with its textured finish, while IP wood decking connects interior and exterior spaces seamlessly.
Building Casa Yuri presented technical challenges due to the steep terrain. To anchor the structure with minimal disturbance, selective blasting was required to secure the foundations. The effort was rewarded with a home that sits naturally within the cliffside, appearing as if it has always belonged there.
Living with the Landscape
Sustainability guided every decision. Cross-ventilation, thick walls, and deep overhangs minimize the need for air conditioning, while a wastewater treatment system recycles water for irrigation. Landscape architects from Entorno designed native gardens and green roofs that soften the structure and frame the ocean views. In every detail, Casa Yuri shows how architecture can harmonize with nature rather than dominate it.
A Dialogue Between Architecture and the Ocean
Casa Yuri is one of Zozaya Arquitectos’ most ambitious projects — a home that embodies strength, serenity, and intimacy with the sea. More than a residence, it is a dialogue between architecture, landscape, and the human spirit — a celebration of life on the edge of the Pacific.
