Treehouse Suite at Playa Viva Sustainable Boutique Hotel
Stroll the one-mile beach of this 12-key 200 acre eco-resort, and what draws your gaze is an
elliptical shaped bamboo wrapped platform hovering somewhere between the canopy of palms
above and green shrubbery below. This perch is the beachfront bedroom of the 700sf bi-leveltreehouse suite.
Design Brief:
Stroll the one-mile beach of this 12-key 200 acre eco-resort, and what draws your gaze is an
elliptical shaped bamboo wrapped platform hovering somewhere between the canopy of palms
above and green shrubbery below. This perch is the beachfront bedroom of the 700sf bi-leveltreehouse suite. Upon approach, though hard to distinguish interior from exterior, there is an open-air lower-level villa housing the sitting area and bathroom and upper-level perch for the sleeping area. The villa’s palm-tree-pierced, clay tile roof and exposed wood beams provide a textural ceiling for the lounge and bathroom, where locally sourced wood becomes countertop, carved stone is the vessel sink and hand-laid pebbles create the graphic shower floor. Bamboo screening provides privacy while the roof is intentionally carved back so showering can be experienced outdoors, revealing palm trees by day and a blanket of stars by night. With all water heated by solar, all water recycled, all electrical provided by 100% solar power and all-inclusive yoga classes, the impassioned eco-traveler or curious explorer can find harmonious balance with the surroundings and one’s self.
The perch removes all unnecessary elements to deliver an natural, immersive retreat. An oversized,curved wood door perfectly arches to the bamboo sheathed perch. Minimal locally made furnishing deliver unobstructed front and rear views, while hatch windows scatter about for continual peeks of nature and support passive cooling. Interior and exterior bamboo shoot reflects splaying branches of a true perch. Locally sourced woods create the perch edges of floor, ceiling and wall, each stagger as the randomization of elements found in nature. Hoping to nudge guests to peel away typical inhibitions, a two-person floor hammock with unobstructed views down gives a true sense of suspension.
With an expedited schedule, it took 6 months from the initial design meeting, to receiving the first treehouse suite guest.
Project name: Treehouse Suite at Playa Viva Sustainable Boutique Hotel
Architecture and Interior Design Firm: Deture Culsign, Architecture+Interiors(www.detureculsign.com)
Location: Playa Icacos, Juluchuca, Guerrero, Mexico
Owner: David Leventhal
Management Company: Playa Viva S de RL de CV
Date project completed: October 2015
Project Schedule: Expedited, only 6 months from design initiation to welcoming first guest
Total square footage: 700sf / 65 sqm
Photographer: Leonardo Palafox, The Cubic Studio (Photo credit is indicated in photo name)
Kimshasa Baldwin
Principal of Deture Culsign, Architecture+Interiors
Working closely with each client to create spaces which offer stimulative experiences and embody clear brand identity, architect, interior designer, and LEED-AP Principal Kimshasa Baldwin strives to deliver “Design with a Point of View”. Kimshasa’s extensive 20 year national and international portfolio, curated while practicing in Chicago, Miami and New York City, reflects the privilege she has had working with industry leaders in many sectors including hotel/resort, chefdriven restaurants, spa and wellness, cruise line, entertainment and gaming. In her Chicagobased studio, she has smartly brought together a nimble team to provide tailored client services in the pursuit of crafting enduring designs through a layered exploration of the guest experience. Successfully building a reputation for immersive, environmentally conscious and operationallyaware spaces with high-level design, she has been honored as an On-The-Rise Designer by Boutique Design and recipient of multiple design awards from Hospitality Design and the International Interior Design Association. Through her travels, volunteer services and spectatorial study of the Arts, Kimshasa continues to explore the creatively dynamic relationship between design and culture which is the essence of Deture Culsign, Architecture+Interiors.
