Seaside cabins allow nature to take center stage through conscious and considered architecture at Punta Pajaros. Mexico’s leading architect Alberto Kalach designed eight palm-wood cabins centered around the beachfront property’s natural environment. Punta Pajaros is proof of concept that shows how eco-tourism creates a positive impact — by creating economic development and preserving environmental integrity.
Luis Urrutia, an environmental engineer, and developer behind Punta Pajaros, shares with us his process of building a hotel with a long-term vision.
Who is the team behind Punta Pajaros?
Punta Pajaros is a project designed by Architect Alberto Kalach (Taller de Arquitectura TAX ) and Proyecto EKO from Environmental Engineer Luis Urrutia.
What was the inspiration behind Punta Pajaros?
The starting point is the regeneration of the ecosystem. The idea was to develop a positive impact on the environment and society. We conducted a profound amount of observation and understanding of the site, studying its landscape, vegetation, weather, climate condition, mammals, insects, orientation, water, etc. We reintroduced the vegetation and set up an irrigation system to begin with, the process. We observed insects and small animals arriving at the site, which indicated we were on the right path.
What did the early concept stages of the project look like?
At the start of the project over ten years ago, the land was entirely degraded by agriculture. The previous owners used the land to grow peanuts and papaya, so they carried out strong deforestation to be able to use the land for agriculture.
Through the life span of your career, you have developed and worked on thousands of buildings and homes — what makes this project unique?
I think this project is unique because it achieves its purpose of giving back something to nature. We understood the land and its natural capitals and were able to work with nature and not against it. By doing these projects, we express to our visitors that it is possible to be in nature and co-evolve with its ecosystems. Our guests arrive and immerse in the sound of the sea and the jungle. They leave with a sense of connection with our environment.
How does design play into the ecological restoration and of the landscape?
More than design, we also explore the concept of co-design: creating an ecological restoration. We need many observers from different points of view: from architects, engineers, soil specialists, to water, local plants, wood and etc. The exercise of employing co-design is what makes our projects unique.
What was the condition of the landscape before starting the project?
In order to have a potential for regeneration, the ideal is to develop only in degraded land.
What do you define as sustainable design and planning?
The word sustainable is nice but not enough; when we talk about sustainability, we are neither harming nor improving the planet. Regenerations go beyond creating a net zero impact. Regeneration means suitable for the earth means more ecosystems recovering.
What were some considerations in the construction of cabins?
First, we use wood, which is a renewable source. All the wood comes from an ecological forest community here in Oaxaca. Sourcing locally helps support and promote a positive impact on the economy of Oaxacan communities.
Design-wise, we built the villas over pilots, minimizing the soil's impact and allowing life to run below the villas. We also use solar energy and we use biodigesters to treat the water. We separate the residuals and send them to the compost pavilion at Casa Wabi.
What goal guides Punta Pajaros?
To fully allow guests to reconnect with nature. We also have a restaurant where we serve and source all the ingredients locally from the fishermen and farming communities.
What would you like the future of tourism and travel to look like?
The world needs us to be more conscious and responsible. We need to look for projects that promote circular economies in the local communities and benefit the planet. I am glad when people arrive, and they are surprised by what they see. Many times they were expecting something different, and they leave completely satisfied.
Punta Pajaros is located in Puerto Escondido
Carr. Federal Salina Cruz - Santiago Pinetopan Nacional Km. 113, 71983 Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico