Standing as a distinctive piece of architecture, the El Taj Oceanfront in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, has been a proud achievement for the city it occupies. Not only are mostly local materials used throughout, the condominium/hotel project features work from architect Sergio Segura - a native to the area. In his design, Segura chose to use stone wherever it was possible. “Everywhere we can use stone, we used it,” he said.

By using local materials, Segura explained that he wanted guests who are not from the area to understand that they are in a place with its own unique culture. Just steps away from the ocean, the existing tropical landscape provided a stepping-stone for Segura’s design.

“The goal was to create a unique piece of architecture,” he said. “People can feel something different and special. This style is a combination of Mexican and sea architecture, which are results of the weather and geography of [Playa del Carmen].”

A love of stone

Because of Segura’s love for natural stone, he chose to apply the material in a broad range of applications at the El Taj Oceanfront, including the flooring and counters throughout as well as walls, baseboards, terraces and roofs, and planters and baseboards around the building. “Stone is fantastic when you use it,” he said. “It was a nice challenge to find the right materials and combine them.”

The luxury establishment is comprised of apartments where residents can enjoy the amenities of a high-end hotel. For all of the floors inside the apartments, as well as for the bathroom walls, Segura selected Crema Maya, a soft, local marble with a light beige color. Cream-colored granite countertops complement the floors and complete the look of the bathrooms and kitchens throughout.

Stone carries into other living spaces, including the living rooms and master bedrooms, and a fossil stone - which has shells and other embedded relics - was also employed for some of the walls in these rooms. In some of the units, the various marble pieces protrude from the wall in a random pattern, creating a unique effect.

Segura further used black river stone for detailing areas inside, such as trims around the beds, to make “carpets,” for medallions and for the floor of the showers. “It feels very good on your feet when you take a shower,” said the architect.

Exterior stone architecture

For the exterior design, slate from Bali brings character to some of the walls and planters as well as a backsplash for a barbecue kitchen that is located on the roof of the complex. Segura explained that although the majority of the materials were local due to being well conditioned for Mexico’s weather and the importance it represents for the culture, consideration had been given to the materials imported from Bali. “Bali is parallel to Ecuador [a close neighbor to Mexico], so we felt we were allowed to bring some things from there because they are part of our culture,” he said, adding that several of the sinks also came from Bali.

Additional exterior stone architecture includes Aticato marble, another local material, which was employed for all of the terraces and roof areas. “It’s basically the same color as the interior, but with a non-slip finish because of the rain and any possibility of it getting wet,” said Segura.

The outdoor central patio, also known as the sanctuary, features a floor made of local fossil stone. Moreover, Cantera stone is used for some exterior walls, planters and baseboards around the building’s exterior. “This is a very Mexican, soft, black-colored stone,” said Segura of the Cantera stone.

While the majority of stone floor tiles throughout the hotel’s interior and exterior measure 24 x 24 inches, much of the wall tiles are 12- x 12-inch in size, in addition to random small pieces and irregular “egg shapes” for the river stone.

Working together

Segura explained that the client was very much involved in the selection process. “He has good taste and is very enthusiastic,” he said. “He’s a very good client that’s also very involved in the construction.”

Besides finding the right combination of different stone materials, Segura explained there was a concern with making sure they had the right people to install the product. “We had to teach the people to [install] the stone the right way,” he said, adding that he and the client were there everyday taking care of the details and ensuring quality.

Work on the condominium/hotel began in the middle of 2008 and was completed in December 2009 - planning for its opening January 2010. “The reaction to the project has been wonderful,” said Segura. “Everybody loves the building. The realtor says it’s the most elegant building in Playa del Carmen. The City Hall is very happy because it demonstrates an example of an architect who belongs to Playa del Carmen. It has a unique style that you will not find in other places around the world. I’m very proud of this building.”