Daniela Jara Carrasco: The new lodging restores the Art Deco architecture of a mansion house nestling in the Historic Center, fusing it with the heritage of craftsmanship in an emblem of contemporary luxury. The precise balance between the forcefulness and purity of the lines of Art Deco architecture and an homage to artisan traditions give shape to the welcoming rooms of the Majagua boutique hotel, a haven of serenity nestled in the picturesque streets of Oaxaca’s Historic Center.
Majagua’s imprint draws on eclectic spaces with a fusion of contemporary design elements, handcrafted pieces and the careful restoration of a 1950s mansion, testimony to the city’s rich history and cosmopolitan past. At Majagua, comfort and abundant simplicity are a code that can be appreciated throughout the property and its different atmospheres. The geometric shapes and stylized decorations harmonize with materials such as metals, tropical woods and natural fibers, a nod to the pioneering trend that originated in France and set the stage for the design disciplines of the 20th centur y.
In its 14 rooms, arranged over two floors, the aesthetic rubric is experienced in a continual dialogue between form, function and roots. In the rooms, light tones are imbued with natural light, thanks to the large windows. The rustic accents in textiles, furniture, lamps from Asia and other pieces, such as the tivichi—an animal-shaped cushion made in the Valley of Oaxaca invite guests to appreciate craftwork as the luxury of this era. Stays at Majagua are complemented by the culinary offerings of Endémico Restaurante, which celebrates Oaxacan food traditions through typical recipes made from ingredients grown in the region. The menu is succinct and incorporates the flavors of local kitchens and touches of Mediterranean and Oriental cuisine for dishes with a decidedly comfort food feel.
The recipes for breakfast and lunch revisit the unmissables of this part of the country, such as tlayudas, chilaquiles, and other options such as tostadas de tartar and tiradito—both made with tuna—and salads. Endémico Restaurante has two service areas, one on the ground floor and the second on the terrace, where diners can also enjoy original mixology and soft drinks, while appreciating the panoramic views of the skyline of colonial buildings.
Its privileged location, at José María Pino Suárez 519 in the Historic Center, has inspired the Majagua Route, an itinerary conceived for contemporary nomads to discover the main sites of interest, including the Church of Santo Domingo, the Ethnobotanical Garden, the Textile Museum, the Zócalo, the 20 de Noviembre Market, the Macedonio Alcalá Theater, the Barrio de Jalatlaco and the Mezcaloteca. Hotel Boutique Majagua is a unique lodging in one of the most traditional neighborhoods, projecting the contemporary essence of Oaxaca with comfort and warmth.
OBJECTIVE OF THE ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT
The fundamental aim of the architecture and interior design was to preserve the existing style of the original house, while opening up spaces for natural lighting and ventilation. The property, located in the historic center of Oaxaca city, is a 1960s building with a clear Art Deco style that is present throughout. Originally, the building had only one floor containing three apartments, which over the years served as a space for different businesses in the busy state capital. Andrés Gómez, the current owner of the Majagua Hotel Boutique, had the vision to remodel the property and convert it into a 14-room boutique hotel, with a concept that stands out from the current accommodation available in the city.
Adapting the preexisting spaces – as far as possible – with the aim of maintaining the essence of the original house and endowing it with a contemporary, welcoming ambiance, architect Daniela Jara rethought the structure of the building by combining the three apartments (which had the same layout) by means of a long corridor from the entrance, adding a second floor, and opening up five spaces with large metalwork windows to improve the illumination.
INTERIOR DESIGN
For the refurbishment of the building that is now home to Majagua Hotel Boutique a contemporary design was implemented that retains the original Art Deco style. A specific palette of materials was also selected to provide continuity throughout the spaces of the hotel, with a defined, minimalist style that avoids strong contrasts between colors and textures.
The materials chosen to bring the interior spaces at Majagua to life include the black and white terrazzo floors; black recinto stone in the open patios; and European oak floors in the rooms to provide a sensation of warmth.
PRINCIPAL CHALLENGE
The greatest challenge was to adapt the building to a new, expanded architectural program that also met the strict guidelines of the National Art and History Institute (INAH). The engineering design generated an efficient and safe site both in terms of the structure and the use of resources.
INSPIRATION FOR THE PROJECT
The project design sought to emphasize the most distinctive elements of the work of Oaxaca’s artisans, in a balanced manner that avoids oversaturation of colors and textures. The fundamental idea behind Majagua Hotel Boutique’s design was to create a space that, with the help of the architecture, conveys the sensation of entering an old house from the Condesa neighborhood of Mexico City. This offers a distinctive perspective to the colorful, colonial-style buildings that dominate in the city of Oaxaca.
SINGLE PIECES
The most notable decorative elements at Majagua Hotel Boutique include the textiles of the bed linen, which is different in each room, and the tivichis – cushions in the shape of wild animals – created by women artisans from the Textilera del Manantial in Oaxaca. Scattered around the hotel and in each room are items of furniture from many different parts of the world, including Asia, Africa and Europe, each carefully selected by the interior designer Edume Esponda. Of particular note are:
1. The Turun console, an elegant polished wooden table from India, found on the terrace.
2. The Batur mirror, made from rice fiber and complementing the Turn table, from Indonesia.
3. The teak chairs, also from Indonesia, which adorn the open patios.
4. The buffalo leather Positano sofa, originating in Romania, which is found in the signature suite.
5. The Ghum lamps in the staircase, made of sorghum and raffia, from Indonesia.
COLOR PALETTE AND MATERIALS
The palette of colors at Majagua Hotel Boutique comprises two principal tones: in the first place a distinctive green hue, created especially for the hotel, chosen to evoke the natural world and convey a sense of tranquility, combining harmoniously with the wooden tones and terrazzo floors in the indoor spaces. Secondly, a neutral beige tone is present on several walls.
This color range is complemented by the contrasting black and white tones of the terrazzo floors, located on the interior corridors of the hotel, and the dark gray of the recinto stone floor – a volcanic rock that comes from Puebla.
The rooms have floorboards made from European oak, while the furniture, such as night tables and bed bases, is of tzalam wood. The carpentry in the bathrooms and the doors to the rooms, together with a number of details of the terrace, was made by craftsmen from Oaxaca using macuil wood.
The ironwork railings were made to echo the original Art Deco style.
SUSTAINABILITY
With a view to the protection of the environment, the following initiatives were employed:
1. Biodegradable amenities and products for guest and staff use.
2. Separation of organic and inorganic waste.
3. Separation and reuse of glass and plastic bottles.
4. Collection of waste such as cooking oil with certified professional suppliers.
5. Purchase of local supplies for Endémico Restaurant.
About Majagua
Majagua Hotel Boutique, located in the Historic Centre of Oaxaca, a few steps from El Llano Park, the Church of Santo Domingo and the Ethnobotanical Garden, offers an experience of peace and refinement in a 1950s mansion. Its spaces pay homage to Art Deco architecture, while harmonizing the richness of Oaxaca’s traditional crafts with the cosmopolitan accents of other latitudes.
Its proximity to key points of interest makes it a comfortable destination to discover the charm and vitality of the city. The accommodation is complemented by the gastronomy of Endémico Restaurante, which menu revisits traditional recipes and local ingredients with a fusion of Mediterranean and Oriental touches.
