Quiet meditation by David Howell

With their thick plastered walls and breezy courtyards, traditional Spanish Colonial houses in Mexico offer a place to escape the heat of the sun, and a place to refresh the soul.

This new house, designed by New Zealand-born architect David Howell in conjunction with owner David Houshmand and interior designer Steffani Aarons, is a contemporary interpretation of the Spanish Colonial houses in the region. Unlike the colourful local Mexican architecture, these properties reflect a more monastic design ethos.

"The house needed to be a retreat, in the true sense of the word," says Howell. "The design is all about creating a sense of calm tranquillity being in touch with the wind and the elements. Even though the house comes alive with music, it is not a party house."

The esoteric quality of the house is reinforced by the design of the guest suites, including the one featured on these pages. As with all the suites, this room is designed as a private retreat, with its own sitting area and gas fireplace.

Natural, untinted plaster, which has been hand trowelled in the traditional manner, features on the walls and ceiling. The walls create a backdrop for warm, orange-toned furnishings, and artworks that may be collected over time.

The suite also features a stand-alone concrete tub and vanity, which were poured in situ. Both the tub and vanity sit within the main room the tub in front of large windows offering views of the pool area and the desert-like landscape.

To enhance the organic feel of the room, the furniture includes a sculptural handcrafted wood headboard and coffee table manufactured by Houshmand's own company.

Like the traditional houses in the region, high ceilings are a key feature of all the rooms, and are designed to ensure the heat rises to sit above head height. The house is also built to allow cooling breezes to waft through.

Story by: Colleen Hawkes

Photography by: David Joseph