- Interior
- Architecture & development
A home that incites to reflect and brings its residents emotionally closer to their surroundings is worth its value twice. Villa Petricor fulfills that description down to the latest details. In a place full of exotic vegetation and natural splendour, you come home in an oasis that brings you to a halt. Vegetation and people are juxtaposed here.
Tulum in Mexico is a location that seems to belong to another world, especially where Villa Petricor was built. Namely, the silence of the elements is tangible in the air, while the extensive presence of the vegetation clearly contributes to a healthy life quality. CO-LAB Design Office was heavily inspired by this regional magic. For example, for the name of this project they were guided by the smell that is typical for the fusion of rain and dry earth, called petricor. Therefore, the home was designed within a philosophy that strived to reflect on and enjoy the present moment. With a housing area of no less than 300 square metres there is plenty of space to do so. Considering that the property was built around several tree clusters, nature was a constant leading factor during the design process. Carefully placed windows make for a view of the nearby greenery and simultaneously allow a lovely amount of daylight to enter. 
The indoor and outdoor spaces are continuously connected with each other and mix by means of fluent transitions. On the main floor this fluid character is extra highlighted because of the open construction of the living area and the adjoining swimming pool. Thanks to the tropical garden that surrounds the entire residence, you live amidst uninterrupted privacy. On the upper floor they provided three bedrooms, among which a master suite with impressive level differences. That is to say, the built-in bed is connected to a lounge area and a terrace, resulting in a spacious whole. A vaulted ceiling creates an almost mythical impression and benches that are incorporated within the walls enhance the laid-back look of the place. Moreover, a lot of attention went into the inclusion of skylights; four to be precise. In that way, natural daylight and ventilation are ensured, while the surrounding vegetation offers a welcome counterbalance by casting shadows on the villa. Because of this, the adjoining nature is promoted to a fixed part of the living experience.
A vaulted ceiling creates an almost mythical impression
For the interior it was the studio’s priority to create serene and calm spaces. Walls in polished cement and floors in terrazzo were coloured with mineral pigments that were mixed on site. Consequently, the result developed a sculptural and monolithic appearance. In the kitchen and bathrooms, the team decided to use Santo Tomás marble, as well as for the dining table. Furniture and decoration contributed soft fabrics in similar earthy tones. The concrete lighting elements were designed and fabricated by the studio themselves, after which they were dyed in the same colour palette. Also, local craftsmen were involved in order to strengthen the artisanal aspect of this project.
With Villa Petricor CO-LAB Design Office presents an appealing home with meaning. Contemplation, nature, and tranquillity are key components that define everyone’s experience here. We are used to nothing but impressive projects of the studio, and this time, we saw their vision again being materialised with this convincing hit. 

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Photography by César Béjar