Go inside this brutalist jungle hideaway in Yucatan’s Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

Sian Ka’an means ‘portal of light’ in the Mayan language, and this protected UNESCO heritage site in Tulum is home to lush tropical jungle, pristine beaches – and now a shimmering brutalist hideaway.

Casa Bautista was designed by Mexico City practice Productora as a ‘living sculpture’ cast in a blue-hued concrete – a homage to the sea and sky – and glistening with shades of soft turquoise, grey and cerulean that catches the sun. At night, its bluish form takes on a purple tint.

The five-bedroom jungle home – available to rent directly, with price on application – sits 2.8km south of the Tulum gate, hidden by dense vegetation. Because of its protected location in the reserve, planning restrictions determined the villa could only be 300 sq m and as tall as the tree canopy.

Maximising this 8-metre height is a colossal concrete staircase, which corkscrews through the centre of the Mexican holiday home, connecting its three levels.

Timber pergolas wrap around the levels, softening its concrete hulk, while a rooftop pool and dining area peek across the tree canopy to the sea and sky beyond.

Explore a minimalist jungle retreat in Tepoztlán, Mexico