INFORMATION

Modular Housing on a Coastal Site
Las Arenas, by architect Agustín Landa, is a residential complex of 96 apartments located in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The buildings are organized in a modular system of  concrete volumes with open-air circulation and a central courtyard. Its coastal setting, sandy soil conditions, and seismic context informed both the structural design and construction strategy.
AREA
11,948 ft2/ 1,110 m2
LOCATION
San José del Cabo, B.C.S. Mexico
TEAM
Ezequiel Farca, Jorge Quiroga, Alonso Pérez, José María Gaona, Víctor Lima, Fernanda Rodríguez, Kannin García, Marco Antonio Zarco, Alejandra Marín, Nataly Guerra, Rubén Hernández, Roberto Guitérrez, Iván Luz, Carlos Lara.
AGUSTÍN LANDA

An Architectural Style Defined by Geometry

As director of Landa + Martínez, Agustín Landa continues a three-generation tradition of design rooted in regional identity. His work reinterprets that legacy through a precise use of geometry, material discipline, and an attention to how light and shadow inhabit space and shape everyday life.
A smiling middle-aged man, architect Agustín Landa, with salt-and-pepper hair stands with arms crossed.

OVERVIEW

Structural Concept as Response
Las Arenas is a residential complex organized as a series of concrete buildings arranged around open-air circulation, outdoor living spaces, and a central landscaped courtyard. Located near the shoreline, the project is conceived as a modular system in which structure, spatial layout, and material strategy are closely aligned. This allows the buildings to respond to coastal ground, climate, and seismic conditions. The overall organization supports both construction efficiency and long-term performance.

CONCEPT

Geometric Order as a Structural Principle
A clear geometric order serves as the starting point for the project’s structure and design, establishing an ordered construction sequence and reliable structural performance. This order defined the structural grid to coordinate slabs, walls, and construction joints throughout the complex. It is expressed through angular edges and sharply defined planes, echoing the forms of reptiles native to the arid desert. By grounding the architecture in a precise geometric framework, the project can be divided into independent buildings while maintaining structural coherence across its full length.
Warm golden sunlight illuminates the concrete balconies of Las Arenas in Los Cabos, Mexico. 3D architectural rendering of fluid, organic forms on a tablet, shown over site plans. 3D architectural rendering of fluid, organic forms on a tablet, shown over site plans. 3D architectural rendering of fluid, organic forms on a tablet, shown over site plans.
An aerial bird's-eye view shows the symmetrical, brutalist-inspired architecture of Las Arenas. Partially built white concrete tower showing masonry units on open floors, overlooking a tropical landscape. Partially built white concrete tower showing masonry units on open floors, overlooking a tropical landscape. Partially built white concrete tower showing masonry units on open floors, overlooking a tropical landscape.
Evening sunlight casts long shadows across the concrete balconies of Las Arenas in Los Cabos. Curved white concrete facade with stained-glass window and climbing vines, surrounded by tropical folliage under a clear sky. Curved white concrete facade with stained-glass window and climbing vines, surrounded by tropical folliage under a clear sky. Curved white concrete facade with stained-glass window and climbing vines, surrounded by tropical folliage under a clear sky.

DESIGN

Foundations and Ground Strategy
The geometric order is translated at ground level through large, shallow concrete footings designed to stabilize the structure on sandy soil while limiting settlement. Individual foundations are tied together to increase rigidity, and a continuous perimeter retaining wall defines the site edge. A raised ground plane and controlled slopes manage groundwater infiltration and surface runoff, protecting the lower levels during periods of heavy rainfall.

Bioclimatic Studies

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At Casa Loto, the design started with a bioclimatic study. Ezequiel Farca analyzed sun paths, wind flow, and temperature shifts to shape a home that responds to its environment. This informed key decisions, including the selection of materials. In the coastal climate of Los Cabos, concrete provides long-term strength and resilience.

Sustainable Living

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Casa Loto was built to operate completely off the grid. It relies on solar energy, passive cooling, and a water system tailored to the desert climate. Every design decision supports self-sufficiency while minimizing the home's environmental footprint.
An aerial bird's-eye view shows the symmetrical, brutalist-inspired architecture of Las Arenas. Curved white concrete roof with cascading vines, set against a clear blue sky. Curved white concrete roof with cascading vines, set against a clear blue sky. Curved white concrete roof with cascading vines, set against a clear blue sky.
Warm golden sunlight illuminates the concrete balconies of Las Arenas in Los Cabos, Mexico. White concrete roofline with a fluid, sculptural opening framed by sky. White concrete roofline with a fluid, sculptural opening framed by sky. White concrete roofline with a fluid, sculptural opening framed by sky.
Evening sunlight casts long shadows across the concrete balconies of Las Arenas in Los Cabos. Curved white concrete structures resembling abstract flower forms, with a water spout cascading downward. Curved white concrete structures resembling abstract flower forms, with a water spout cascading downward. Curved white concrete structures resembling abstract flower forms, with a water spout cascading downward.

INNOVATION

Structural Integration
Structural continuity across the elongated complex is achieved through an 18-meter reinforced-concrete element that connects the upper levels while forming the apartment terraces. Developed in collaboration with structural engineer Dr. Stark, the system relies on slab action once adjacent slabs are completed. This integration eliminates secondary beams or trusses, consolidating structure and inhabitable space into a single concrete system.
An angled view highlights the warm, earth-toned concrete facade and the glass guards of the balconies of Las Arenas.
A symmetrical, low-angle shot captures the bridge and the plants on the exterior walls of the hallway of Las Arenas.

PROCESS

Construction Sequencing and Coordination
Construction followed a phased sequence based on the modular structure. Each building block was constructed separately, allowing work to progress across the site without interruption. Long concrete spans were temporarily supported during casting. After the surrounding slabs were completed, the supports were removed and the spans began to carry their own loads as part of a continuous structural system.
Inner tunnel-like view of Las Arenas
Concrete roof with rectangular opening revealing blue sky and sunlight above.

Ceiling design and execution

From the start, the ceiling pushed technical limits. Its shifting thickness called for intricate formwork and millimetric alignment with surrounding walls. A high-fluidity concrete mix was poured in a single go, eliminating cold joints and bubbles while creating a flawless, continuous surface.

Crafting warmth through black concrete

Ezequiel Farca envisioned a house wrapped in black concrete, one that felt warm, reflecting a layout built for coexistence. Texture became the bridge, achieved through four-meter-high fluted walls. Today, they wrap Casa Loto in a striking yet inviting atmosphere.
Two construction workers on ladders building a black concrete wall with steel rebar under blue sky.

Making uniform fluted walls

The black fluted walls began with custom molds made from a durable polymer alloy. A tailored concrete mix followed, designed to achieve a deep, uniform color. Each batch was closely supervised, turning repetition into precision.

OUTCOME

Resulting Perfomance
The completed project produces a residential environment defined by open-air circulation, cross-ventilation, and durable concrete construction suited to a coastal setting. Structural segmentation, material restraint, and geometric clarity contribute to long-term stability and ease of maintenance. Together, these strategies allow the complex to adapt to climate, ground conditions, and use over time without reliance on added systems or finishes.
Sunset at Las Arenas Curved white concrete roof with cascading vines, set against a clear blue sky. Curved white concrete roof with cascading vines, set against a clear blue sky. Curved white concrete roof with cascading vines, set against a clear blue sky.

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