Casa Mare Watamu: Building A Calmer Life By The Sea
Artist’s Exterior Impression
Perched on the white sands of Watamu, Casa Mare is more than a pair of beachfront villas. It’s a story of design deeply rooted in the land, the climate, and the dreams of those who seek a calm life by the ocean. Inspired by modernist masters and guided by our philosophy of grounded futurism, Casa Mare attempts to capture what it means to live in peace along East Africa’s breathtaking coastline.
Design, at its heart, is both art and science. At Casa Mare, every element was crafted with intention: tall, airy ceilings allow warm air to rise, keeping interiors naturally cool. Windows on opposite sides invite the ocean breeze to sweep through, creating a gentle, constant cross-ventilation. Here, beauty doesn’t stand alone rather it works seamlessly to create spaces where life feels lighter, quieter, and more at ease.
Ongoing construction of the villas
The villas’ open-plan layouts and minimal walls invite light and views deep into the home, with every space oriented to frame the turquoise horizon. Expansive terraces blur the line between inside and out, encouraging a life lived in rhythm with the sun, sea, and sky. Swimming pools offer places to unwind or energize, reflecting the ever-changing light of the Indian Ocean.
Casa Mare’s story is also one of place: coral stone walls root the villas in local heritage, while finishes like Lamu plaster and microcement evoke the timeless elegance of regional coastal architecture. Deep roof overhangs provide essential shade, a response as beautiful as it is functional to the equatorial sun. Aluminium casement sliding doors dissolve the boundary between home and garden, extending living spaces into planned outdoor areas.
This is our grounded futurism brought to life: designing for tomorrow with a profound respect for local context and the evolving needs of modern life not just in the coast but in different contexts our planets have to offer. At Casa Mare, simplicity becomes a form of luxury, and innovation is never for its own sake. Simplicity is to make every moment more meaningful, every view more captivating, and every day more comfortable.
In the words of Steve Jobs, “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like; design is how it works.” Casa Mare is proof that when beauty and functionality dance together, the result is not just a housebut a sanctuary attuned to East Africa’s coastline.
Elevation sketch of Casa Mare
An elevation sketch of Casa Mare captures the contrasting identities of the villas. Villa One appears as a floating horizontal plane, while Villa Two features a more layered, stacked form. This concept shows how each villa connects visually to the horizon, highlighting the unique character of each home while embracing the coastal setting.
Sectional study of Casa Mare
A sectional study reveals how Casa Mare’s deep roof overhangs and wing-like structures shape comfortable outdoor terraces that capture the sea breeze. By following the cliff’s contours, the design naturally integrates the villas into the landscape, enhancing thermal comfort and creating spaces that feel protected yet open to the ocean.
Site Plan Sketch Of Casa Mare
The site plan sketch illustrates the thoughtful layout of the villas within their beachfront garden. Generous beach-facing gardens flow into terraces and indoor spaces, offering uninterrupted views of the ocean. A front garden provides privacy from the entrance side, ensuring the villas feel both open and secluded within lush, tropical surroundings.