ARCHITECTURE / DESIGN

Constructed from the frame of an agricultural estate built by French immigrants to the town of San Rafael in the tropics of Veracruz, Mexico in 1833, Maison Couturier, Pensión Agrícola is a contemporary marvel of old-world luxury. The state of Veracruz’s rich and complex history of settlement and colonisation has led it to remain one of Mexico’s most diverse in terms of its varying cultural traditions and languages with amalgamations as dialects. The integration of this powerful history and the maintenance of the rich flavour that can only be derived from the clash of cultures, specifically French and Mexican in the case of Maison Couturier, are and have been some of the establishment’s major goals.

In efforts to retain the sensation of authenticity, the Maison Couturier was built inside of its original architectural framework. But like any other of the Grupo Habita’s immaculate undertakings, it has been modernised to optimise comfort and contemporary design has been flawlessly, and weightlessly integrated into the existing structures. With Maison Couturier, Grupo Habita, champions of the Mexican hotel world, pegged the design nail right on its proverbial head. Each of the 8 bungalows and the landowner’s suite, or “la chambre du maître” invites guests to enjoy the sun’s warmth on its soft, brick patio or lie in a hammock and enjoy a palm’s cooling shade.

The living spaces themselves are bright and airy, with shimmering black tile bathrooms and deep basin bathtubs, polished antique hanging lamps and telephones, plenty of room to wander, and direct access to the central pool. This stone construction in the centre of the bungalows and suite is seamlessly integrated into its natural surroundings, transforming itself into an elegant watering hole in the middle of an idyllic garden rather than an intentionally allocated swimming area. The profound love of nature is ubiquitous throughout the estate, and it is only underlined by the equally prevalent profundity of the care for design. Maison Couturier is decorated almost exclusively with refurbished antique furniture and styles, from the patio chairs to the glasses in the bar, the tractor in the bar to the fan in the lounge area. The furniture’s subdued colour palate and smooth curves are enhanced by the cooler lines of the more contemporary, linear elements such as the tiling and internal construction of the guestrooms. With Maison Couturier, Grupo Habita has fulfilled its goals and created an unforgettable reflection of cultural and aesthetic integration.