Li Edelkoort UXUA UTOPIA - A Very Gifted Guest House

Li Edelkoort’s New Hardcover Book – UXUA UTOPIA
A Very Gifted Guest House

When does a hotel transcend being just a place to sleep? When does it transform into an iconic expression of its destination—capturing the essence of a location through a timeless tropical design fantasy that celebrates cultural exchange, conservation, and sustainability? Over the course of 15 years, UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa has become more than a dream project; it’s the beating heart of a micro-economy—entirely circular, grounded in equal measures of craft and education.

This vision was brought to life by Dutch designer Wilbert Das, formerly the creative and design director for the fashion brand Diesel, who chose to start anew by moving to Brazil. Derived from the indigenous Pataxó word for “wonderful,” UXUA is nestled in the historic fishing village of Trancoso, Bahia. Revered by design aficionados worldwide, UXUA has earned a devoted global clientele and was named the best resort in the world in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers' Choice Awards 2021.

“One sheds one’s sense of self as if taking off a winter coat, becoming one with people—all people,” writes Lidewij Edelkoort, the book’s author. "The property appears unpretentious yet is meticulously designed. Every detail is considered, each element crafted by hand, and every piece of furniture either recycled or custom-designed. It represents a rare fusion of hand and intellect, resulting in an organic modernist aesthetic blended with a Brazilian 'make-do' sensibility. The historical architecture embraces both body and soul, while the colorful painted accents evoke a heightened abstraction that transcends rational thinking. This must surely be what the scriptures call paradise."

Produced locally under the direction of Lili Tedde, exquisitely designed by Mariola López Mariño, and printed with the finest techniques and materials, UXUA UTOPIA: A Very Gifted Guest House is more than a visually stunning collector’s piece. It reinvents the coffee-table book by seamlessly blending the realms of design, art, food, craft, and travel to showcase UXUA’s profound contributions to humanitarian values and social impact. Far from just a book, UXUA UTOPIA is part trend guide, part style manifesto, and part life philosophy. This unique design tool for aesthetic activism inspires hope, joy, and a deeper consciousness.

Specifications:
Hardcover with hand-bound spine – an exceptionally beautiful book!
Dimensions: 34 cm (height) x 24 cm (width) x 4 cm (depth).