CASA TULUM 21 | Mimicry in Housing: The Influence of Nature on Architecture
- Arq. Alejandra Polanía
- May 28
- 7 min read
AUTHOR: Alejandra Polanía
Architect with a strong interest in architecture, landscape, and ecological restoration.
NAME OF WORK: Casa Tulum 21
ARCHITECTS: As Architecture + Design
PHOTOGRAPHY: Tamara Uribe
LOCATION: San Benito, Yucatán (Mexico)
YEAR: 2017
AREA M2: 553 m² .
Contemporary architecture has increasingly blended with nature in recent years, seeking to create more sustainable, healthy, and environmentally connected spaces. This is due to a growing social, economic, and environmental awareness. This is due to several factors, such as:
Climate change, destruction of natural ecosystems , Air pollution and quality , scarcity of non-renewable resources, (Construction has historically depended on non-renewable resources, such as certain building materials and energy. This consumption pattern not only depletes natural resources, but also contributes to pollution and climate change . ) Among others.
For these and many other reasons, sustainable architecture seeks to mitigate these effects by integrating green spaces, preserving natural areas, and promoting biodiversity into urban designs. At the same time, it seeks to reduce the carbon footprint and improve indoor and outdoor air quality through natural ventilation or the use of non-toxic materials, such as the incorporation of natural and organic elements into the design, thus promoting a harmonious balance between architecture and the environment. This creates an environment with improved comfort for the well-being and health of not only people but also the ecosystems within them.
On the other hand, Casa Tulum 21's relationship with the natural environment is based on its very integration with the site. This is a common element we see in the ecological setting of Yucatán, an architecture characterized by its connection to vegetation, sustainability, and a minimalist style that seeks to blend with the environment, while maintaining a balance between contemporary design and respect for the local ecosystem.
In this project, the central idea is based on a home that doesn't impose itself on the ecosystem, but rather merges or blends with it, thus seeking to take advantage of the resources offered by the site. Inspired primarily by materiality, the use of the land, and the interrelationship with vegetation, which allows for the creation of transitional spaces and helps create atmospheres of privacy.
To understand the mimicry of this home, we break it down into 4 different items:
1. Design of open and fluid spaces:
Both the architecture in Yucatán and the home designed by the As Arquitectura team feature one of their most distinctive architectural elements: the fluid connections between interior and exterior spaces . This is evident from the entrance to the home, where the path to the main entrance is designed to be a sensory experience. The path unfolds organically, surrounded by tropical gardens and landscaped areas formed with local vegetation. And at this point, we find the transition between the exterior and interior, where the goal is not only to reach the home but also to enjoy the surroundings.
Once inside the home, we also find this relationship between interior and exterior, starting with facades with large windows that contain the private areas and allow for more natural light. The high ceilings and open spaces allow for constant connection with the patios, while also offering a general view of the landscape offered by the tropical gardens or the sea.
These open spaces are essential not only for their ability to improve air circulation and natural light, but also because they encourage social interaction, increase the feeling of spaciousness and flexibility, and contribute to emotional well-being. Furthermore, they are a key tool in contemporary and sustainable design, as they optimize the use of space and create an environment that is more connected to the outdoors and vegetation.
2. Use of Local and Natural Materials:
The architecture of the Tulum 21 house has a strong emphasis on sustainability . This is reflected in the use of local and natural materials, such as stone walls and louvered windows, as well as contrasting designs such as wood, palapas, and thatch. The design is geared toward minimizing the environmental impact and integrating the building into the surrounding landscape.
Upon entering the home, the foyer is the first element that immediately establishes a connection with the interior. The first glimpse is a corridor that creates a fluid transition to the interior courtyard, setting the mood for a constant connection with the greenery. The materiality of the elevated walkways allows one to walk on the vegetation, creating a smooth transition between the exterior and interior. This reinforces the idea of natural mimicry , leaving the vegetation beneath the path intact.
On the other hand, we find that the project's interior design tends to be organic and even bohemian, featuring geometric shapes that remain connected to the vegetation. The way they integrate with the surroundings is through neutral, earthy colors that mimic the area's native palette. These include shades such as terracotta, white, beige, and, of course, the green of the vegetation. Similarly, simple furniture designs are used, including some handmade pieces, reflecting the region's artisanal culture and highlighting the simplicity and beauty of nature.
3. Cover set:
In some home designs in the San Benito region of Yucatán , the roofs tend to be either sloped or flat, depending on the project's focus. Most often, we find the use of flat roofs, allowing for outdoor spaces on the rooftop, which can be used as an additional area to enjoy the landscape, or even to create gardens. However, we also find some traditional-style buildings that use palm-thatched roofs . These structures are not only aesthetically pleasing and fresh, but also reflect the history and local culture of the region.
Likewise, we find that the Tulum 21 house reflects the same style of sloping roofs, designed with traditional local ecological materials such as wood and straw, which help create a microclimate inside the home, reducing the impact of high outdoor temperatures. This system helps maintain pleasant environments without the need for air conditioning. This is important in Yucatan, where temperatures can reach over 35°C.
Furthermore, in regions with strong winds, such as Yucatán, architectural designs that integrate open or semi-open roofs are preferred, which play an essential role in air circulation. A clear example of this is seen in Casa Tulum 21, where we find open triangular roofs, which facilitate the passage of wind through the home. This allows airflow to circulate more freely and consistently, reducing resistance, which in turn decreases the likelihood of damage.
On the other hand, the roof combination creates 360° views while its shape provides shade throughout the day. This, as mentioned above, is a sustainable and ecological option, as it encourages the use of local materials, thereby reducing the carbon footprint associated with the transportation of construction materials. This makes the palapa an environmentally friendly option compared to other types of roofs that require non-renewable or more highly processed materials.
4. Relationship between patios and vegetation:
Native vegetation plays a fundamental role in modern architecture. Having a garden allows for a connection with vegetation, improving overall well-being and providing a natural space that contrasts with everyday city life.
In the region, we find that homes are built surrounded by generous tropical gardens, as vegetation not only serves an aesthetic function but also helps create microclimates and improve air quality in the immediate surroundings. Therefore, this project seeks to maximize the use of existing vegetation. This is evident from the entrance to the home, where, as previously mentioned, a sensory path is created, accompanied by tropical gardens. In this way, a kind of anteroom is established, in which the vegetation takes center stage, serving as a natural border that conveys a sense of isolation.
Likewise, the architecture is shaped to surround a central courtyard, creating green threads that break the secrecy of a compact traditional home and transform it into one that expands, allowing the gardens to permeate the interior, thus achieving a sense of spaciousness and connection with the vegetation while also allowing views to the outside. At the same time, great importance is placed on creating relaxing and welcoming environments, such as the terrace and palapa, the main areas of the home, as they promote relaxation and well-being.
The home, despite being open to the outdoors, takes into account the privacy of its inhabitants. This is achieved by subtly separating spaces through vegetation, using elements such as large shrubs arranged along the edges. Depending on their location, these spaces promote the creation of meeting and social areas, allowing people to enjoy the outdoors with family, friends, or even alone, contributing to the creation of relaxing atmospheres. In particular, outdoor areas such as the pool and terraces are surrounded by gardens and vegetation, which not only enhances the aesthetics but also contributes to the creation of a fresher, more natural environment without disturbing the existing ecosystem, while also generating ecological benefits.
In short, the Tulum 21 house is an architecture that reflects the desire to coexist harmoniously with nature, respecting the principles of sustainability and preserving the local ecosystem. It distinguishes itself from traditional homes by incorporating patios where they are not "necessary," creating an internal anteroom to accommodate three distinct areas: entrance, intermediate patios, and an outdoor reflection area. The creation of these patios, surrounded by vegetation, allows for the integration of diverse landscapes with a variety of plants, rather than being limited to the typical palm trees found in other buildings.
In contemporary architecture, buildings not only seek to be aesthetically pleasing, but also functional and environmentally responsible. It is important today to create a trend for spaces that help foster tranquility, rest, and connection with the natural environment.
Коментарі