CO-LAB Design Office designed Casa Areca for a site in Tulum, Mexico, where the Yucatan's tropical environment shapes the home's form and materials. Large glazed openings connect interior rooms to outdoor space, allowing movement between the two without hard separation.

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The structure uses locally sourced materials and finishes made by regional artisans. Solar panels mounted on the roof provide electricity. Furnishings were fabricated in Mexico through collaborations with local makers, keeping production close to the site and supporting established craft traditions.

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Greenery surrounds the house without overwhelming its minimal interior. The architecture responds to climate through cross-ventilation and shading, while the openings frame views of the landscape. Light and air move through the rooms as conditions change throughout the day.

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Casa Areca demonstrates how a house can engage its specific environment through material choices, local fabrication, and careful positioning of openings. The design works with the tropical site rather than against it.