Casa Wabi

A Triumphant Blend of Design & Architecture, Creativity & Sustainability

Please note: Fundación Casa Wabi allows specially curated events, exclusively via Boutique; please contact us here for more information.

Put simply, there is nowhere quite like Casa Wabi. Just 20 miles northwest of Puerto Escondido in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, this artist residence is secluded on a quiet beach between the Pacific coast and the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains. 

Founded in 2013 by painter and sculptor Bosco Sodi, with the help of architect Tadao Ando, winner of the 1995 Pritzker Prize, it is first and foremost a nonprofit residency for artists, a place for them to find refuge, hone their craft and work together. But, over the years, it has also become a world-famous design destination known for its focus on sustainability. Treading softly on the beaches and marshes that surround it, the residence is setting a high bar for other developments in the region.

We are honored to partner with Fundación Casa Wabi to share a few exclusive weeks each year that are made available to travelers. All proceeds from reservations go directly to furthering the foundation’s programs that encourage a dialogue between their residents and local communities. But please note: this is a space to create, to be inspired, to make art, and to develop ideas. It is not a location for parties and other events of that nature—and all inquiries should be made with that mission in mind.

With Japanese designer Tadao Ando at its helm, Casa Wabi was the work of eight architects (including Alvaro Siza, Ambrosi Etchegaray and Solano Benitez) who came together to conceive of six separate sites clustered around a central structure. Each element of the residence’s design was carefully considered to facilitate free-flowing thought for all who enter, and to encourage creative connections between residents. Casa Wabi aims to strip away frivolity and provide a new perspective from which artists can engage with their practice. Travelers are welcome in this environment, to experience a community that's filled with introspection and connection. 

Set right on the shores of the Pacific, the architecture engages dramatically with nature, harnessing the light in a series of Brutalist forms and spaces rooted in the modern tradition but intimately connected to the geographical and cultural context. The main complex forms the creative heart of the property, with a series of six separate structures huddled around it, connected by soaring pavilions and promenades. 

Communal spaces for artists to gather were incorporated into the design, like the grand living and dining room which houses a large wooden dining bench and an ocean-facing sunken lounge. There's a generous kitchen for culinary creativity, and the 10 individual rooms can accommodate as many as 26 residents. An extraordinary compound that seeks to foster connections as well as individuality, Casa Wabi nurtures inspiration and creative expression, merging art and nature. 

Read more about the foundation in our Stories section here.

As availability is limited, we invite you to explore these other options within the Casa Wabi community: Las Marianas, Casa Liebre, Casa Cons, Casa Volta, and Casa CAL

Additional features

The bedrooms are configured as follows: six identical en-suite villas each have one king bed, plus a single sofa bed. The Main Palapa has an en-suite master bedroom with a king, an en-suite kids' bedroom with one bunk bed and two singles with a twin on top, plus one bedroom with a twin (bathroom is not en-suite). The Big Villa has two bedrooms with a shared bath. One has one king and one single (for kids), and the other has a twin.

Around

Located along a remote stretch of Pacific coast, the port town of Puerto Escondido lies at the end of the Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range just over 100 miles from the inland capital of Oaxaca. Arranged around a picturesque bay dotted with gigantic rock formations, the area is divided between Bacocho Beach on the north end, the Playa Principal resort area in the middle, and the famous surfing beach of Zicatela on the south end.

Considered one of the top 10 surfing destinations in the world, it has an action-packed atmosphere, and the town comes to life at night, with parties until dawn. Be sure to visit the wildlife and mangrove forests of Laguna de Manialtepec, just 20 minutes from the house, and the ecological reserve and turtle sanctuaries of Ventanilla. Watch for the bio-luminescent tides at night where you can swim among the sparkling waters. 

Location

Oaxaca, Mexico. Nearest airport: Puerto Escondido (25km).

Best time to visit

This property is only available at very specific times of year. Please refer to the calendar for current availability.