manuel cervantes draws on hacienda traditions to shape regenerative coastal living in mexico
Rancho Sereno integrates wooden volumes with coastal setting
Rancho Sereno, designed by Manuel Cervantes Estudio, is a 22,000-sqft residence within the 3,000-acre regenerative development of Xala on Mexico’s Pacific Costalegre coast. Set 120 meters inland from the shoreline, the house is positioned to protect native dunes and vegetation, integrating architecture with the surrounding coastal ecosystem. The residence is organized as a series of single-story wooden volumes interwoven with gardens, creating a porous boundary between indoors and outdoors. This arrangement draws inspiration from the spatial rhythms of traditional Mexican haciendas, reinterpreted in a contemporary, low-impact form that prioritizes connection with the landscape. Sustainability guided the material approach. More than 95% of the structure is built from renewable wood, including framework, roofing, windows, and doors, reducing reliance on heavier structural elements such as steel and aluminum.
all images courtesy of Manuel Cervantes Estudio
material continuity defines Rancho Sereno by Manuel Cervantes
Operable wooden panels and louvered shutters promote natural cross-ventilation, allowing ocean breezes to replace mechanical cooling systems. Exposed walls highlight the natural tones and textures of wood and micro-cement, emphasizing a tactile and material-driven experience. The flooring, executed by a Belgian team known for collaborations with Axel Vervoordt, employs micro-cement applied in a technique that produces smooth, joint-free surfaces. This continuous treatment enhances spatial flow and reinforces the relationship between interior and exterior spaces.
Manuel Cervantes Estudio’s Rancho Sereno avoids excessive glazing and heavy construction systems, relying instead on natural ventilation, shading, and simple material choices to reduce environmental impact. The result is a residence that merges architecture and landscape, balancing traditional references with contemporary methods to create a low-impact coastal dwelling rooted in its site.
Rancho Sereno’s outside lounge al fresco
Rancho Sereno’s outside lounge al fresco
outside lounge
sun deck and pool
dining room
bedroom
bedroom
bathroom
dining room
Rancho Sereno’s outside lounge al fresco
project info:
name: Rancho Sereno at Xala | @xala.mx
architect: Manuel Cervantes Estudio | @manuelcervantes
location: Xala, Mexico
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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom
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