The Cape, a Thompson hotel

The hidden beachfront site captivates by its spectacular horizontal view towards the Arch at the tip of the Cape. It is a privilege and a unique view. Surfers riding waves at the surf break just in the front of the property making their way through a beautiful rock formation at the end of the bay. Natural creeks with tropical vegetation carrying down rainwater to the ocean from the contrasting desert landscape of the mountains make this site even more powerful.

We immediately thought of building a free standing structure that embraces this experience for the hotel guests - something like a giant umbrella, allowing the breeze to run through, creating shadow, lowering the temperature, something similar to the experience of a beach tent. The landscape runs through the building being part of this experience. This open ground floor also serves as an intensive event space, connected to the Thompson vibe, the creation of an urban experience standing in the endemic landscape and overlooking the Sea of Cortez.

We envisioned a black concrete structure, inspired by the color of the rock formation at the surf break; it would resemble a “camera obscura”, similar to the effect of looking through binoculars or a telescope, a frame for viewing. Venues like bars and restaurants are placed within this open space. The hotel rooms sit above this structure, and above them, a roof top bar crowns the building with views all open to the Cape.

Underneath the ground floor structure, the site´s topography leads you towards the black pool, a natural quiet pool and the beach, passing through a transition of terraces and several lookout points creating a rich narrative of spaces. Hidden within the natural rocks and below the structure, the spa has to be discovered following a sequence of dark corridors to tone down the senses arriving into an intimate experience and increasing the connection to the sound of the ocean.

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