A Journey Through Time With Intentional Design

Casa Pakaal offers a blueprint for thoughtful, intentional design.

Preserving the Past while Embracing Modern Living

This week we bring you our insights along with a home tour by Open Plan with Architect Francisco Bernés, partner at Workshop Diseño y Construcción to understand the story, design considerations and be mesmerised by this home.

Stepping into a Living Story

In Mérida, Mexico, there's a house that invites you to pause and take notice. Casa Pakaal isn’t just a modern home—it’s a narrative woven from layers of history, craftsmanship, and nature. Designed by Workshop, the home’s name speaks to its purpose: Pakaal, meaning “plant” in Mayan, reflects the seamless integration of architecture and environment.

From the preserved courtyard walls to the modern rear pavilions, Casa Pakaal tells a story of honoring what came before while embracing the present. It's a reminder that home is not just a structure, but a living, breathing space that evolves with time..

A Connection to the Past

The journey begins at the entrance, where Casa Pakaal reveals its first layer of history. The original home, dating back to the early 20th century, has been lovingly restored, with handcrafted pasta tiles covering the floors. These tiles, made by local artisans, feature traditional patterns that ground the home in regional heritage.

According to Francisco Bernés, partner at Workshop Diseño y Construcción, "Casa Pakaal is a project that seeks to rescue and highlight all the elements of traditional Yucatecan architecture, and above all, to celebrate history and the passage of time."

As you step inside, the high ceilings and chukum-finished walls create a calming sense of space. The natural chukum plaster, made from the resin of a native tree, gives the walls a soft texture that shifts with the light throughout the day.

The Kitchen and Entertaining Space—At the Heart of the Home

For the client, the kitchen was one of the most important spaces in Casa Pakaal. "He loves to cook and is a very sociable person who often receives family and friends," Francisco explains. "It was essential for him to be able to cook and interact with his guests."

The kitchen is contained by the original walls, which were left untouched to preserve their textures and the passage of time. The pasta tiles add warmth and character to the space, while a set of folding doors opens the kitchen to the outdoor terrace, creating a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living.

The terrace features a wood-fired oven, grill, and bar, making it the perfect place for gatherings. "In Yucatán, the terrace is perhaps the most important space for living," Francisco notes.

The Central Courtyard—Where Nature Takes Root

Moving deeper into the property, the home opens onto a central courtyard—a living sanctuary anchored by a mature sour orange tree (Citrus aurantium), known as Pak'áal in Mayan. "The orange tree was located on the property, practically in the middle, and it was essential for us to make it the protagonist of the entire house," Francisco explains. "With the surrounding pool, the deck, and the terrace, it becomes a living sculpture."

The floating wooden deck, integrated around the tree, appears to hover above the natural stone-finished pool. Together, these elements create a sense of lightness and balance, inviting moments of pause beneath the tree’s dappled shade. The courtyard’s traditional terracotta tiles, handmade by local artisans, ground the space in regional craftsmanship. Their natural imperfections add warmth and texture, reminding visitors that beauty lies in the details.

The Study—A Retreat with a View

To one side of the courtyard is a tranquil study. With its large window framing the lush greenery outside, this room offers a quiet space for reflection or work.The study’s design is simple yet purposeful. Its minimalist furnishings allow the view to take center stage, creating a seamless connection between the interior and the garden beyond.

This room embodies Casa Pakaal’s philosophy of intentional living—where spaces are designed to inspire calm, focus, and allow presence.

The Rear Pavilion—A Modern Chapter

The journey continues to the rear of the home, via the gardens where original stone walls were kept to maintain the history and create a visual story as you wander through to where new bedroom pavilions have been added.

These spaces are modern, yet they feel like a natural continuation of the story that began at the front of the house. The architects chose chukum plaster for the walls, a traditional finish that gives the new structures a softness and organic texture. The terracotta tiles on the floors are another nod to the region’s craftsmanship, grounding the modern design in local tradition.

Each bedroom opens onto its own private courtyard, creating intimate outdoor spaces that feel connected to the home’s overall flow. The rear pavilions are quiet, serene, and designed as a place for rest—an intentional ending to the journey.

Video Tour by Open Plan

To experience the full journey through Casa Pakaal, we recommend watching the video tour hosted by Francisco from Workshop Diseño y Construcción on YouTube. The tour beautifully captures the flow from the original front walls to the serene rear courtyard, showing how light, texture, and space come together to tell a story.

🎥 Watch here: Casa Pakaal Video Tour by Open Plan.

OAAK Final Thoughts: A Living Story

Casa Pakaal is more than a beautifully designed home—it’s a narrative brought to life. It tells a story of history, nature, and intentional living, inviting its occupants to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with their surroundings.

At OAAK, we believe that every space has a story to tell. Casa Pakaal reminds us that design is not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating spaces that resonate with people on a deeper level.

For more projects by Workshop Diseño y Construcción you can visit their website here.

All images credited to Manolo R Solis For more of his work, visit Instagram @manolorsolis

Interiors by @artesano_mx

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