Espacio | Materia + Gustavo Carmona

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Espacio | Materia + Gustavo Carmona

Information

  • Project Name: Espacio
  • Practice: Materia
  • Completion year: 2023
  • Gross Built up Area: 31,144 m2
  • Project Location: Quintana Roo
  • Country: Mexico
  • Contractors: Maiz
  • Collaborators: Karla Uribe, Teresa Berumen, Eduardo Valencia, Ivan Rendón
  • Photo Credits: Jaime Navarro
  • Others: Bamboo Facade: Hunter Douglas
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Excerpt: Espacio, an architecture project by Materia + Gustavo Carmona, is a mixed-use development designed to foster a sense of community. The U-shaped structure centers around a public plaza, providing a shaded gathering area. Its facade, featuring cut stone, ties the building to the natural environment, while a wooden lattice encloses the upper floors, casting dynamic patterns of light and shadow.

Project Description

Espacio | Materia + Gustavo Carmona
© Jaime Navarro

[Text as submitted by architect] Surrounded by the marine environment and the tranquillity of mangroves, the innovative development of Puerto Cancún emerges in the northern part of Cancún shoreline, establishing itself as a new hub for the expanding city. In this particular scenario, Espacio emerges as a mixed-use development that transcends the confines of a mere building, with the aim of instilling a sense of belonging and establishing itself as the centre of the expanding community.

Espacio | Materia + Gustavo Carmona
© Jaime Navarro
Espacio | Materia + Gustavo Carmona
Ground Floor Plan © Materia + Gustavo Carmona
Espacio | Materia + Gustavo Carmona
© Jaime Navarro
Espacio | Materia + Gustavo Carmona
© Jaime Navarro

The main building of Espacio is shaped like a “U”, its split gives place to a central core that transforms into a public plaza on the ground floor. It is designed to provide refuge from the sun, a protected space for community interaction. Under the main structure, a passageway leads to a second plaza designated for the “Gourmet Pavilion”. The contrast of the main building’s straight lines creates a visual dialogue with the pavilion’s architectural language, which is based in curves, framing views of the Caribbean sky.

Espacio | Materia + Gustavo Carmona
© Jaime Navarro
Espacio | Materia + Gustavo Carmona
Section © Materia + Gustavo Carmona
Espacio | Materia + Gustavo Carmona
© Jaime Navarro

On the ground floor, the cut stone takes the centre stage, serving as the foundation that visually ties the structure to the ground whilst establishing a solid connection with the natural surroundings of the building. This gesture contrasts with the lightness of the wooden lattice embracing the upper levels like a second skin, resulting in a constant dance of light and shadow on the facade.

Espacio | Materia + Gustavo Carmona
© Jaime Navarro
Espacio | Materia + Gustavo Carmona
© Jaime Navarro

The upper levels are defined by transparency, allowing for natural light to flood the interiors, highlighting panoramic views and establishing a seamless visual connection between the building and the surrounding mangroves and marine environment. This approach to visual connection reinforces Espacio ́s distinctive identity as an enclave where architecture and nature intersect in a new city centre.

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