Casa Cusenza is a masterpiece of contemporary architecture and interior design, just ten minutes drive from the charming old section of Puerto Vallarta, on its own sheltered cove and beach. Interiors feature stunning works by Claudio Silverstin, Holly Hunt, Jerome Abel Sequin, Jasper Morrison. This is the perfect villa for those for whom inspired design, and a marriage of architecture and nature, are important; Casa Cusenza’s glass walls merge with the surrounding tropical jungle, lawns and sea.

It is impossible to separate this stunning house from the surrounding natural beauty. It has three “skins” – during the day, the glass walls are completely open and the space becomes one with nature; at dusk, the sheer window treatments are drawn, reflecting the candlelight and moving gracefully in the ocean breezes. The house has different volumes and different heights, and is capped by a butterfly-shaped roof. Water and the sound of water play an important part in the ambience – in the waterfalls that cascade from the roof into the creek that runs through the property, in the Zen garden and in the pool that thrusts into the sea. The main living space is the intimate heart of the house. The interiors create a sense of peace with their neutral color palette of creams, white and chocolate. Resting areas include a two-story high living room with gorgeous minimalist furnishings and priceless sculptures, an intimate study and entertainment room, and kitchen/dining area with its 10-foot table created by Jerome Abel Seguin.

There are four master suites within Casa Cusenza, in two different houses. The Main House includes the master suite -- a spectacularly large (New York loft-like) space with a floating bed by Fabian Baren, a caesar-stone/wenge-wood floor, and a Zen-like contemplation space; almost needless to say, views through all-glass walls take one’s breath away. Just down the hall is the Japanese bedroom, also with double sinks, Terrazzo floors and an over-sized balcony. Across a teak bridge is The Guest House with both downstairs and upstairs suites; downstairs is a primitive space with a colorful Bali bed and indoor/outdoor showers, upstairs is the all-white bedroom with a spacious adjoining room that may be used as a fifth bedroom. All bedding in both the Main House and Guest House is from Takashimaya, New York.

Deep-sea fishing, yachting, tennis and golf are nearby. For swimming, Casa Cusenza’s own beach is wonderful; it is sequestered in a private cove and provides easy snorkeling just off the beach; for other beaches at Quimixto, Las Animas and Punta Mita, water taxis are available. Shopping in Puerto Vallarta is just 10 minutes away.

 

As you enter the long driveway you get a sense of the unattainable, a special connection to the essence of life. Approximately 2 acres of beach front property in a tropical jungle paradise so close to town, yet miles away. The jungle juts into the white sand beach to lend its serene lushness to a huge rock formation.

High stone walls intertwine amongst hundreds of trees. It’s impossible to separate the house from the surrounding beauty of nature. Unusually large boulders make a spiritual connection to Los Arcos (a natural refuge). The city lights at night, the openness to the sea, the clear blue water and the constant stream of boats and yachts make this refuge a very special place – very private, but not hidden.

The concept was minimal, magical, serene, with modern proportional planning. A place to go to recharge or retreat from the busy world -- to soak in the deep meditative tub or in the purest blue of the ocean’s warm waters.

The house idea began with the roof. The roof inspired by Japanese Architect Toshiko Mori was shaped like a graphic butterfly, therefore, producing great natural waterfalls during the rainy seasons (another element).

The house has different volumes – different heights. Spaces are discovered indirectly, without all being exposed at the same time. Tropical settings demand the integration of inside/outside space. In designing this modern house, we wanted to make a visual impact by adding “3 skins”. During the day, the house is completely open and the space becomes one with nature.

At dusk, the sheer window treatments are pulled to reflect the transparency and reflection of lit candles and the bellowing of soft breezes. At night, the celosias are exposed creating a floating Japanese lantern feeling or completely closed with huge sliding glass panels. All 3 skins are completely hidden during the day.

The concept also demanded spaces for real living, for people engaging in stimulating conversation – every detail has a reason for being.

As you enter the gathering space, you discover the simplicity of the space. Rock garden on one side – a floating Zen garden with a life size Buddha with a dripping Andy Goldsworthy wall. The indoor/outdoor feeling is complete as you see two fireplaces reflecting in the garden’s water creating a very surreal feeling. Since the house was designed to be all glass, light and form become the key elements – light enlivens spaces – brightens the passage ways and is the connection between the Zen area, the rock garden, pool, pizza pavilion, grassy area, waterfall, white beach and ends by the towering cliff the natives call El Paredon.

All areas interact with each other, whether it’s the major open space for conversation, entertaining or simply to enjoy spectacular views.

Sound also played a part in design, whether it’s the sound of the water trickling from the waterfall in the Zen garden, the rushing water of the major waterfall or the smaller water features. Water sounds that soothes and relaxes. Entering becomes ceremonial – a long forced perspective to a massive Balinese hardwood door (by Jerome Abel Seguin) and huge Balinese vessels each carved by (Jerome) from one tree. The door opens to reveal a very large area with impeccable sensual graphic design and the seduction of nature all in one.

You see a magnificently massive Higuera tree in front of you – a floating garden to the left – a wenge Barragan stairway and very minimal modern furniture. The horizontal floating mirrors become the portals to the nature that reflect inside them. Nature now becomes the painting.

The kitchen can open to a huge space or close to a private dining space – all with the use of the celosias to control the space. The kitchen is imported from Italy and completely designed by Poliform Milano. The floating inside/outside cement table suspended with glass was inspired by John Pawson (England’s most minimalist architect). It has been creatively designed so that the working/dining space can interact or separate. Views of Los Arcos greet the guests for breakfast. Dining becomes very special under the stars with a spectacular view of the city lights and the almost nightly fireworks. The 10 ft. table was created by Jerome Abel Seguin (see his work at Pucci – New York). Lights by Tom Dixon. The stairway (Barragan) or elevator, if you prefer, leads us to the upstairs area. The master suite is a spectacularly large (New York loft-like) space with a contemplation space, very Zen, floating bed by Fabian Baren. The floor is a combination of caesar stone and wenge chocolate brown wood surrounded by glass shower, glass walls, glass water rooms and a hand made Japanese paper brown rug designed to graphically divide the space. Buddha, candles and a lounging couch surround a gorgeous white caesar stone bathing area. A 25 candle candelabra reflects off of a portal and suddenly 50 floating candles become the headboard for your bed. Flat screen TV cleverly hidden inside the celosia and as you pass a meditative altar table you can’t help but notice the James Turrell “slices” of light – at night the view is stunning.

Down the hallway
enter through the Soji doors to the “Japanese bedroom”. Again, a floating modern Italian bed, double carved sinks with large screens that reveal or hide the sinks (your choice). Terrazzo floors leads to a great balcony that completely surrounds the house (all of the bedding are from Takashimaya – New York), orange chair and ottoman from Italy (Modern Living – Los Angeles).

Service quarters
with separate entrance fully furnished from Jasper Conrad – New York, comprised of 2 bedrooms, bath, kitchen and living area.

The media room
is on the main floor next to the gathering space – a very comfortable space with modern furniture from Italy (Diva – Los Angeles).

To the guest quarters by crossing a teak bridge over a creek which is active in summer, but dry in high season. The main floor is both primitive and modern white pebble stone floors, which continue outside to the large terraces. The glass doors slide behind a wall to create an indoor/outdoor space for relaxing. Big oversized white “ghost” chairs and teak couch offer a relaxing setting along with the sounds of the indoor/outdoor water feature.

A large wood chocolate door slides open to reveal the primitive modern bed space. An extra large mirrored wall reflects the grassy area, the dark wood Bali bed and all of its colorful surrounding. This area has indoor and outdoor showers with large floating sinks.

Upstairs is the modern all white bedroom with white on white, Terrazzo floors, white silstone carved double sinks, glass shower and water room. The white bed floats with huge ottomans for relaxing and modernist table. This stunning room offers a great view of the beach, the pool and Los Arcos. You really feel as if you’re floating on water.

Next to this space is the fifth bed area with multiple functions. This space may be used for massage area or gym or as we show it with a futon for meditation or enjoy a good book from the library shelf.

The pool – this magnificent pool was created to incorporate an extremely large boulder in an infinity pool. The pool design won the best pool design for famed New York architect, Michael Gabbellini. Surrounded by tall pappellillo trees and large green area, the pool thrust to the sea with a great view of porpoises, whales and many other marvelous creatures of the sea.

Cross the beautifully manicured lawn and you find yourself on the steps leading to the white sandy beach next to the towering “Paredon Colorado”. Everything here is pristine and breathtaking. Warm, clear water with Pelicans coming to fish here and chances are they’ll be as curious about you as you are of them. Behind the beach there are three terraces – one with a white hammock waiting for the weary traveler.

Details:

Limestone walls
Wenge floors
Terrazzo white floors
All glass walls
Double height ceilings
In / out fireplace
Extra large one piece Bali doors
Imported Italian Poliform kitchen
Celosias
Elevator
Large laundry room
Two-car garage
Huge patios

 

Furnishings by World Renown Artists

Marcel Wanders
Antonio Citerio
Patricia Uquario
Tom Dixon
Claudio Silverstein
Marc Newson
Holly Hunt
Ingo Maurer
Jerome Abel Seguin