The Nursery’s Hidden Museum

As you know by now, Las Catalinas is a Town that cares deeply about the materials it uses. The way Town looks is no coincidence. 

Today, we dive into the open-air museum that captures a moment which helped shape Town and the way it looks.

During Las Catalinas’ early years, the selection of materials was a process carried out thoughtfully. A preselection was made, taking into account how each material would withstand the weather, the salty coastal environment, the level of use, and the maintenance it would require. After this, in 2009, samples were produced and built. They included coralina floors, as well as material samples for the trails and a variety of finishes: stone, cantera, wood, and white sand. Some didn't pass the test and were excluded from the material palette of Town, but many others found their way successfully through Town and are now part of the visuals and textures we enjoy daily. 

These samples can be found at The Nursery, which is currently under renovation (you can read more about this here). Right when you go through the entrance gate, you can walk or drive 100 meters, and you'll be able to find this small museum quietly hidden among the plants and trees. Nature may have started to take over, but many of the original samples are still there.

Our Founder, Charles, was part of the process of building the samples. Once they were ready, he observed the combinations of materials, their proportions, and their textures to determine, together with the design and construction team, which were the most sustainable, practical, and beautiful, even considering which ones were the most gentle on bare feet, an important detail for a beachside community. You can see a picture of this moment below. 

This little museum might be easy to miss, but it marks the start of a meaningful story, one of decisions made with care. Of balancing function and beauty.

Once The Nursery reopens, we hope you’ll visit. Maybe sit down for a moment, take it all in, and reflect. Because a small concrete bench with stones might not seem like much. But sometimes, the beginning of our dreams looks just like that: quiet, humble, unassuming. 

Let this small story be a reminder: don’t belittle your dreams. Try. Begin. Take a step. Make a choice. Let your life be a patchwork of many small decisions made with care. You might be right at the start line of something great.