Gracias Studio a San Diego-based design studio has designed the Casa Real del Mar House. Completed in 2008, this contemporary property is located in Tijuana, Mexico.

According to the architects: “The contemporary Mexican property is located within a seaside development with residences, a small hotel and its private golf course in Tijuana, BC, Mexico. The site’s triangular shape was not the only challenge, since it was also formed by a great steep, compelling to take important structural and design choices, resulting in three floors, the first two levels being made of concrete and acting as retaining wall, where a music studio was designed for the owner, a musician and record producer.

“Having a unique view towards the Pacific Ocean, the luxury Mexican house was planned with forward-looking constraints from buildings around the property, for example, the concrete wall that divides the space between the main entrance-living room area and the garage space, standing-in as a view blocker. The main entrance embraces a water-still mirror, accompanied by a small landscape area on the deck made of wood, which goes all the way through the house into the backyard.

“Following the development construction and design restrictions, the third level, where the bedrooms are found, is built with concrete block covered with a white smooth texture to blend in colour with the rest of the properties in the estate, but still being distinctive in its form and material usage, with its roof serving as terrace with full ocean view.”