Salvador Román and Adela Mortera - The green brutalist grotto - Valladolid - Mexico

2026-07-08

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. 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.

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.

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.

Photo credit: Fabian Martinez