Casa Xixim’s Design
Casa Xixim is more than just a place to stay—it’s a sanctuary that combines luxury with sustainability, designed to harmonize with its natural surroundings. Located in stunning Soliman Bay, Tulum, this beachfront villa offers an immersive experience for group travel that reflects a deep commitment to eco-friendly practices and high-end comfort.
Unlike many vacation rentals that typically offer only one primary bedroom, or hotels that often require guests to book multiple rooms, risking separation, Casa Xixim was specifically designed as a cohesive space for families and groups of friends to stay together. That is, after all, why you’re on vacation together!
Here, you won’t need to ro-sham-bo for the best room. At Casa Xixim, we understand group needs, catering to everyone with four bedrooms, each designed as a primary suite. Casa Xixim isn’t just someone’s house—it’s a vacation home, with an intentional design, ensuring that every guest can enjoy their own space, their own master suite, without compromise.
Table of Contents
Modern Architecture Meets Traditional Practices
Sustainable Features and Eco-friendly Practices
Living Spaces: Connecting with Nature
Bedrooms: Personalized Comfort and Luxury
The Casa Xixim Difference
Sustainable Design in Luxury Villas FAQ
Modern Architecture Meets Traditional Practices
Our goal was to seamlessly blend traditional building practices with modern eco-luxe principles. We brought renowned modern architect, Scott Specht, to the site to consider its unique characteristics, conducting sun, wind and privacy studies.
“Casa Xixim is a dream, and you should book your vacation here. There are so many reasons why but I’ll list a few: Intentional design: the whole home feels like you’ve stepped into a magazine. The décor + the environmentally friendly touches (solar panels, natural air flow, etc.) are outstanding. Xixim truly feels like it’s integrated into the natural landscape.”
– Shereen, Airbnb
We mapped out the largest trees and designed the house around them. We collaborated with local artisans, a wetlands engineer and implemented tried and true local building practices, ensuring that every aspect of the design achieved authenticity.
Locally Designed and Hand-Built Furniture and Decor
All furniture in Casa Xixim was designed by us and hand-built locally, ensuring a unique, custom touch that supports local craftsmanship. This approach not only enhances the villa’s aesthetic appeal but also supports the local economy and reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting furniture.
Additionally, all our textiles, decor, and ceramic dinnerware are handcrafted in Mexico, adding to the authenticity and charm of the villa.
Traditional Pasta Tile from Merida
The villa features beautiful pasta tiles from Merida, a traditional craft that adds a touch of cultural heritage and elegance to the space. We selected the pattern and customized the color palette to match the colors of the ocean and the jungle around us.
Door Louvers with Screens
Instead of glass windows, Casa Xixim uses louvers with screens, a local building technique that allows natural ventilation while keeping the elements out. We expanded on this idea by creating sliding doors to allow our spaces to be wide open with nature. This design choice enhances airflow and reduces our reliance on excessive use of the air conditioner.
Sustainable Features and Eco-friendly Practices
Casa Xixim’s commitment to sustainability is deeply rooted in the principles of permaculture design. By thoughtfully integrating eco-friendly practices and technologies, we aim to work in harmony with the natural environment, minimizing our impact while providing a luxurious and sustainable experience.
Net-Metered Solar Energy
The villa operates on a net-metered solar system, harnessing the abundant sunlight of Tulum to provide clean, renewable energy. This reduces our reliance on non-renewable energy sources and lowers our carbon footprint.
Rainwater Collection and Natural Wetlands System
We have installed rainwater collection systems to capture the abundant rain of the tropical climate for various purposes within the villa. This ensures a sustainable supply of water for non-drinkable uses, aligning with our eco-friendly practices. Additionally, our natural wetlands system filters waste water sustainably, ensuring minimal environmental impact.
Green Roofs
Our green roofs embody the permaculture principle of stacking functions by providing insulation for the rooms below and create additional green spaces that enhance the villa’s aesthetic appeal. They also support pollinators and reduce our physical footprint, contributing to the local ecosystem’s health and diversity.
Natural Ventilation, Airflow and Eco-efficient Fans
We designed Casa Xixim to maximize natural ventilation, reducing the need for constant air conditioning. The stairwell features an open-screened window at the top, drawing hot air out of the house. Every room is positioned to catch natural breezes and feature eco-efficient Haiku ceiling fans to keep the villa cool and comfortable.
Poured Concrete Sofa with Sunbrella Cushions
One of the sofas at Casa Xixim is made with poured concrete into the floor, providing durability and a custom design element. The Sunbrella fabric cushions add comfort and are resistant to the elements, making them ideal for our eco-luxe environment.
Living Spaces: Connecting with Nature
The living spaces at Casa Xixim are designed to maximize the connection with nature, providing an open, airy environment that seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor living.
Open-air Spaces
From the Great Room to each bedroom suite, guests can create a fluid transition between the indoors and outdoors. With walls that slide open, guests can enjoy cross breezes and stunning views of the surrounding landscape, enhancing their connection with nature.
Social Spaces
Casa Xixim features various social spaces that support both relaxation and interaction. This includes our Great Room with a long dining table perfect for communal meals and a large, cozy sofa within earshot of the pool. Rooftop hammocks with panoramic views and several terraces offer serene spots to quietly unwind.
No TVs, Just a Projector
In keeping with our commitment to a tranquil and immersive experience, we have chosen not to include TVs in the villa. Instead, we provide a projector with a screen for guests who wish to enjoy a movie night or a celebratory slide show together.
Photo by Taggart Sorenson
Photo by Taggart Sorenson
Bedrooms: Personalized Comfort and Luxury
Casa Xixim offers four primary bedroom suites, each designed to provide personalized comfort and luxury for every guest.
Unique and Spacious
Each bedroom suite at Casa Xixim has its own unique personality ranging from being tucked away privately to being closer to the social action. Each suite is spacious and includes an ensuite bathroom, air conditioning and a private terrace, offering a serene retreat after a day of exploring or socializing.
The rooms are thoughtfully decorated with natural materials, handmade decor, and a neutral palette, allowing guests to unwind in their own personal oasis.
Photo by Taggart Sorenson
Photo by Taggart Sorenson
Photo by Taggart Sorenson
Photo by Taggart Sorenson
Luxurious Bedding and Comfort
To ensure a restful night’s sleep, all suites are outfitted with Tuft & Needle mattresses and luxurious bedding by Parachute. Known for their comfort and support, these mattresses, combined with high-quality bedding, provide an excellent sleeping experience that leaves guests feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Modern Amenities
These include air conditioning, laptop safes, and WiFi speakers. Additionally, eco-efficient Haiku ceiling fans enhance air circulation, providing a cool and comfortable environment. Guests will also find eco-friendly soaps and shampoos, aligning with Casa Xixim’s commitment to sustainability.
“I’ve just returned from a third wonderful trip to Casa Xixim. Every tiny detail was absolutely perfect — everything is handmade for a precise purpose and works perfectly in the space. Thoughtful details like a footbath on the path up from the beach and generous shelf space in the closets make it easy to feel like this is a place you might live, rather than an awkward fit in someone else’s rental property.”
– Judith, Google Reviews
The Casa Xixim Difference
Casa Xixim redefines luxury travel with its sustainable practices and thoughtful design. From traditional building techniques to modern eco-friendly technologies, every element of Casa Xixim creates a luxurious and environmentally conscious experience.
Our commitment to sustainability is evident in features like solar panels, rainwater collection systems, green roofs, and natural wetlands. These elements reduce our environmental footprint and inspire guests to embrace sustainable travel.
The villa’s design, built around existing coconut trees and utilizing natural ventilation, harmonizes with the environment. Personalized luxury is offered through unique primary suites, modern amenities, and custom-built furniture, enhancing the villa’s charm.
Choosing Casa Xixim means families and small groups traveling together can indulge in luxury while supporting responsible tourism that benefits both the environment and the local community.
Sustainable Design in Luxury Villas FAQ
How does sustainable design enhance the luxury experience in villas?
Sustainable design enhances the luxury experience in villas by incorporating eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient systems, and natural ventilation. These elements not only reduce environmental impact but also create a healthier and more comfortable living environment for guests.
What are the benefits of using traditional building techniques in modern eco-luxe villas?
Using traditional building techniques, like door louvers with screens, leverages local know-how to maximize natural airflow and reduce the need for artificial cooling. This approach recognizes the opportunity to work with nature, creating a unique and environmentally friendly experience.
Why is it important to integrate natural elements into the design of eco-friendly villas?
Integrating natural elements, like building around existing trees, helps preserve local habitats while enhancing the villa’s aesthetics. It reduces the need for artificial climate control, lowers energy consumption, and creates a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
How do energy-efficient technologies contribute to the sustainability of luxury villas?
Energy-efficient technologies, such as solar panels and eco-efficient ceiling fans, significantly reduce the carbon footprint of luxury villas. They provide renewable energy sources and optimize energy use, ensuring a sustainable yet luxurious stay for guests.
What role does local craftsmanship play in sustainable luxury villa design?
Local craftsmanship in sustainable luxury villa design supports the local economy and reduces transportation emissions. Using locally sourced materials and handcrafted furniture not only adds unique character to the villa but also honor’s the deep knowledge of local practices and aligns with sustainable and ethical design principles.