Cocoon, is a proposed hotel and Resort for the coastal city of Tulum in Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Designed by DNA Barcelona Architects, the concept is inspired by the ideology behind the nest, a place of comfort and security that is one with nature. This forms the basis of the design of the complex, most notably its woven facade. The project is planned for completion by January 2020 and will cost an estimated $50 million.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
“Cocoon”, a concept for an eco-friendly resort is landed. Inspired by the primordial sensation of the nest and the relative need of protection, we wanted to design a space in which to feel embraced, protected, giving anyone the possibility to reconnect with the inner self or with the community, through a building that base its design on elements like local materials and natural patterns.
Nature that becomes architecture: the curves of a riverbed, of the sea waves, of the desert’s sand… all to achieve a wide vocabulary of visual elements to mutate into designing language, in materials and shapes, for a bio-mimicry architecture. Furthermore, we are all used to see birds nest since childhood; it’s a familiar shape that remembers us birth and family… in this concept the nest becomes the external language of the cluster, a filter between the completely natural forest and the man-made building.
Moreover, this expedient, combined with the low height of the complex, make us possible to camouflage the built with the environment, letting the nearby Mayan buildings to stand out attracting the deserved attention. The distribution of the different units in the plot follows the concept of a molecule containing different elements, with the nest as a membrane, the buildings as cells and the water to connect the whole system. This last element, in fact, keeps together the single units, like a river, shaping islands and passages for the guests’ own curiosity.
The users are welcome in a self-discovery trip, surrounded by a cluster built around them. At the ground floor, the internal spaces make a frame for the internal garden: the main utilities are located here like the main lobby, the cafe’, the restaurant, the spa, the beach bar, the kids club, the meeting and conference space and much more, plus the first round of rooms.
The intermediate floor consists in guest rooms and an executive lounge, exclusive for meetings or important hosts. All the rooms are closed to the forest side, where the main corridor takes place, but open to the internal garden, where every room is provided with a private pool. This decision was made on purpose, feeding the guests with enough curiosity to live and enjoy the rooftop, where a garden roof and a 360 degrees breathtaking view of the paradisaical Mexican tropical forest will amaze them.
The internal courtyard is divided into 5 main areas comprehensive of one kids’ swimming pool, two other swimming pools, one island dedicated to the beach bar and one for the cafe’. All the islands are connected by bridges, letting the people free to swim underneath from (and to) every part of the complex.
The total built area is 36,781 sqm on an available surface of 39,820 sqm, allowing the distribution, apart from the amenities, of 240 guest rooms, 24 suites, 7 penthouses and 9 party villas. All the spaces are designed to accommodate every generations in a luxurious, intimate and quiet space, surrounded by nature, friends and a beautiful atmosphere.
