The Green Brutalist Grotto in Yucatán
9 July 2025
Architects: Salvador Román & Adela Mortera
Location: Valladolid, Yucatán, Mexico
photo © Fabian Martinez
Photos: Fabian Martinez and Andrea Cinta
Casa Gruta, located in the Sisal neighborhood of Valladolid, explores the perception of space, scale, and materiality through a sculptural and architectural approach that evokes the experience of a refuge reminiscent of a natural grotto.
photos © Andrea Cinta
The project invites reflection on the passage of time and the relationship between the ephemeral and the eternal through the interplay of light and shadow, as well as the dialogue between new interventions and pre-existing structures.
photos © Fabian Martinez
The house is conceived as a contemporary inhabitable sculpture inspired by the geological formations characteristic of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, including caves, grottos, and cenotes. Its restrained material palette draws directly from the colors and textures found within these natural landscapes.
photo © Fabian Martinez
The design is inspired by the spatial sequence of cenotes and underground caverns, where tunnels, vaulted chambers, and clearings shape a sensory journey. Spaces alternately compress and expand, creating a succession of distinct spatial experiences throughout the house.
photo © Fabian Martinez
The entrance is marked by an álamo tree, which in the Yucatán has traditionally been regarded as a sign of nearby underground formations, leading visitors into an open-air vestibule. This gesture recalls the ancient Maya rituals performed before entering the cenotes.
photos © Fabian Martinez
Casa Gruta is conceived as a sanctuary for introspection—a place that encourages reflection on the accelerated pace of contemporary life while fostering contemplation and a deeper connection with the passage of time.
photos © Fabian Martinez
The Green Brutalist Grotto in Yucatán, Mexico – Building Information
Architects: Salvador Román & Adela Mortera – https://www.instagram.com/chavaroman/
Project name: Casa Gruta
Location: Valladolid, Yucatán, Mexico.
Interior Design: Paulina Román & Andrés Briceño.
Construction: Concretum
Landscape: Archivo Vegetal / Paulina Román
Suppliers: Kimicolor, Cemex.
Built Area: 254 sqm
Project completion date: January 2025
Photographer: Andrea Cinta / Fabian Martinez
photos © Fabian Martinez
About Salvador Román & Adela Mortera
We are a husband-and-wife team of architects based in Mérida, Yucatán, who see every project as an opportunity to create a living experience through a compelling narrative. Rather than simply solving spatial needs, we seek to shape a concept and a way of life that emerge from a deep understanding of each person’s needs, aspirations, preferences, and sensibilities.
photos © Fabian Martinez
Photography: Fabian Martinez and Andrea Cinta
The Green Brutalist Grotto, Yucatán, Mexico residence images / information received 090726
Location: Yucatán, México, North America.
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