- Interior
Jasmine Scalesciani-Hawken, an owner and designer of Italian and Argentinian descent, invites you to an enchanting wellness retreat in Baja California called Nua Nakūi. This special retreat, inspired by her childhood on the Italian island of Sardinia, combines beauty, health and relaxation in harmony. Located near the beach and surrounded by a medicinal herb farm, it offers numerous private reading and relaxation corners that invite self-reflection and inspiration. Built of local stone, wood and onyx, the retreat integrates seamlessly with the surrounding nature, a testament to Jasmine's two-year efforts to restore the land.
Nua Nakūi is located in El Pescadero, Baja California Sur, Mexico, on the Pacific Ocean. It is an hour's drive north of San Jose Del Cabo and just 10 minutes south of the charming town of Todos Santos. The wellness retreat, surrounded by a 3.2-hectare herb farm rich in mango trees, is ideal for private fasting and Ayurvedic retreats for 1-4 people. Jasmine Scalesciani-Hawken, creative director and self-taught designer, has worked in the wellness industry for more than 25 years. Her passion for wild places is reflected in her first architecture and interior design project, where she offers a rejuvenation programme inspired by ancient traditions. Nua Nakūi means "honouring the old ways that last a long time". The residence runs entirely on solar energy, uses mountain water and has extensive grey water systems. All the farm's produce is grown organically without pesticides. On her first visit to El Pescadero, Jasmine thought back to her time in Jose Ignacio, Uruguay. She saw potential for a raw, untamed lifestyle. The local farming tradition allowed her to grow food and set up an 8-hectare herb farm. For two years, she worked on regenerating the soil and planting trees before she started building.
The wellness retreat is surrounded by a 3.2-hectare herb farm rich in mango trees
Nua Nakūi's architectural style is influenced by Jasmine's experiences and the places she has lived, including Milan, Sardinia, Punta Del Este and Buenos Aires. Inspired by Italian architect Alberto Ponis, the house integrates seamlessly with nature. The use of local materials ensures that the residence ages well and blends in with its surroundings. Jasmine chose a rustic décor with unexpected finds from local second-hand shops. The house exudes a sense of well-being thanks to a palette of various white tones and textures that create a warm and welcoming feeling. Local stone, onyx and wood make up the primary materials, while aluminium accents highlight the rustic elements.
Inserting large rocks into the structure of the house was a huge challenge that required a team of 8-10 men. The door heights allowed an excavator to help move heavy rocks, crucial for the passages between the two structures. The project took 10 months to complete. Jasmine added unique elements to the design, such as asymmetrical windows and rocks at corners that create an unexpected aesthetic. The hand-carved limestone sink adds to the rustic charm. Nua Nakūi consists of two structures connected by an open seating area. A 230-square-metre open terrace offers unobstructed ocean and mountain views. Next to the main structure is a 25-metre round swimming pool and an outdoor living area with fireplace. The main structure has high ceilings and thick walls, designed to feel grand but remain modest thanks to raw materials. Numerous private reading and relaxation corners invite self-reflection and inspiration. The 'stone house', made of beige rock, acts as a master suite with a 100-square-metre covered patio where hammocks offer sunset views. The master bathroom has a hand-sculpted bathtub, a sauna, a double shower and a built-in rest corner overlooking the farmhouse. Jasmine designed the bathhouse as an expression of the Ayurvedic lifestyle Dinacharya, which focuses on a daily routine of self-care. With Nua Nakūi, Jasmine Scalesciani-Hawken has created a unique wellness retreat that seamlessly blends tradition, nature and modern comfort, inspiring a harmonious and rejuvenating lifestyle.
Photos by Amy Neunsinger
Text by Celien Hemelaer