A study in contrasts, ‘Vipp Todos Santos’ embodies a dialogue between Mexican and Danish design traditions. Set against the striking backdrop of the Pacific Ocean and dusty roads dotted with towering cacti, this architectural gem, designed by renowned architect Pablo Pérez Palacios and his Mexico City-based studio, PPAA, is a sophisticated blend of Mexican warmth infused with Scandinavian coolness. Vipp Todos Santos marks Vipp’s tenth guesthouse venture and its first outside Europe, opening a decade after the launch of the first guesthouse, the Vipp Shelter at Sweden's Lake Immeln.
Spanning 350 square meter, the five-bedroom structure features a main house, two connected guesthouses, a covered patio, a rooftop pool, and terraces. Paying tribute to the region as well as its culture of indoor/outdoor living, the design is characterized by a dynamic interplay of strategically placed volumes and exterior stairways which thoughtfully respond to the contours of the site.
Crafted using natural materials from the surrounding area and local, traditional building techniques, Vipp Todos Santos’ rammed earth construction is perfectly suited to its climate. The thick, compressed earth walls provide natural insulation at night and keep the interior cool during the day. Left in their raw state, these sturdy walls shape both the exterior and interior of the building. Expansive windows frame panoramic views of the ocean and the surrounding Cardones, drawing the tranquillity of the outdoors into the living space.
A circular rooftop pool serves as a celestial oasis, offering guests sweeping ocean and sky views while the covered terrace is the social centre of gravity for the home, creating an inviting year-round, day-to-night gathering place.
The interior
For the interiors, Pérez Palacios worked closely with Sofie Christensen Egelund, Vipp's 3rd generation, US-based co-owner, and longtime Vipp collaborator, Copenhagen-based interior designer Julie Cloos Mølsgaard.
“Our diverse portfolio of guesthouses has allowed us to bring our passion for design to life through wide ranging architecture and interiors. Over the years, we have grown from a small company with just one design, the bin my grandfather created in 1939, to develop a global following for our furniture and kitchens - all made with the same integrity and longevity as our very first product,” says Sofie Christensen Egelund, 3rd generation Vipp-owner
Featuring an interplay of natural tones and textures, its serene spaces were created to evoke a sense of tranquillity, integrating custom furniture and design details that honour local craft and weaving techniques as well as art, textiles and ceramic pieces sourced from the area.
Each element in the home has been selected to complement the minimal material palette of earth, concrete, and wood. Window shutters woven from branches of the local Palo de Arco tree add a handcrafted element to the building and cast ever changing shadows in the space throughout the day.
The open-plan living area boasts Vipp’s new V3 kitchen in anodized aluminium. The sculptural silhouette, with its extruded fronts and sleek stainless-steel countertop, adds flair and contrast to the warm rammed earth walls. Complementing the kitchen, Vipp furniture, lighting, bathroom elements, and outdoor collections are thoughtfully placed throughout the house.
“Vipp has been a perfect partner for this project - A study in contrasts, Vipp Todos Santos embodies a dialogue between Mexican and Danish design traditions,” observes Pérez Palacios
Vipp Swivel chair
To celebrate of the opening of the guesthouse, Vipp releases a special edition of its Swivel chair in a vivid jacquard fabric from Pierre Frey, crafted specifically for the Vipp Todos Santos guesthouse in Mexico. Chosen for its bold colours and rich textures that echo the vibrant spirit of Mexico, its graphic bayadère stripes add a radiant contrast to the chair's industrial aluminium frame. Available in stores from December 2024.
Todos Santos
A longtime haven for artists and creatives, Todos Santos is a coastal town on Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, situated between the Sierra de la Laguna Mountain range and the Pacific Ocean. Blending historical charm and diverse cultural influences, its colonial buildings sit harmoniously alongside a crop of more contemporary, eco-friendly buildings that pay tribute to the region’s architecture and construction methods.
Todos Santos draws adventurous travellers from all over the world for its unparalleled natural beauty and wide range of outdoor activities from surfing, scuba diving and whale watching to biking, hiking and horseback riding. It is a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that features a unique combination of landscapes, from cacti-covered forests and unspoiled Pacific Coast beaches. The town is increasingly becoming recognized as one of Mexico’s most exciting culinary destinations, with exciting new restaurants, rich culinary traditions, and active community of ranchers and farmers.
How to get there
Todos Santos is just 50 miles, or about an hour drive from San Jose del Cabo Airport (SJD) in Cabo San Lucas. Several airlines offer direct flights from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Houston, Denver and New York City. Private transportation from the airport can be arranged, though renting a car is highly recommended in order to get around once in town.
