A contemporary sanctuary rooted in history, culture, and nature, Altaona Sports & Wellness Resort emerges from a profound respect for the land it inhabits and the stories it carries. Just fifteen minutes from the historic city of Murcia, the resort stands as a dialogue between the ancestral and the contemporary, merging the essence of Islamic-Andalusian heritage, the warmth of the Mediterranean landscape, and the harmony of sacred geometry found in nature. It is a destination that invites guests not only to rest but to reconnect—with the land, with themselves, and with the deeper rhythms of life.
The master plan is structured through the principles of sacred geometry, a design philosophy that translates universal patterns—circles, hexagons, and fractals—into the spatial organization of the site. Inspired by the geometric intricacy of Islamic architecture, these patterns express balance, unity, and spiritual continuity, giving form to plazas, courtyards, and gardens that unfold with natural rhythm and human scale. Every axis, every curve, every threshold has symbolic and spatial intent: to guide movement, to inspire stillness, and to create a seamless transition between architecture and landscape.
At the heart of the resort lies the ring-shaped Wellness Center, conceived not merely as a facility, but as the emotional and spiritual core of the entire composition. Its ring-shaped structure embodies connection and infinity, housing within its protective geometry a lush internal oasis. Guests enter a realm of calm and sensory immersion—thermal baths, hammams, treatment rooms, and meditation spaces surround a tranquil water garden shaded by palm canopies. Here, filtered sunlight penetrates through terracotta latticework, dancing across water surfaces and earthen walls, creating an atmosphere of quiet transcendence. The architecture feels ancient in its symbolism, yet forward-looking in its ecological intelligence and spatial fluidity.
The architecture of Altaona Sports & Wellness Resort draws directly from its contextual and cultural roots, using form, material, and texture as tools of storytelling. The built language is defined by a fusion of minimalism and craftsmanship, where every surface is expressive of natural materials and local tradition. The terracotta envelope, crafted from locally sourced clay, provides both chromatic harmony with the surrounding terrain and high thermal inertia, contributing to passive temperature regulation.
A network of arcaded walkways, shaded patios, and open-air lounges create transitional spaces that blur the boundary between indoors and outdoors. The design embraces permeability and climatic responsiveness—natural ventilation and controlled shading maintain comfort throughout the seasons, while the gentle presence of water enhances both sensory and thermal comfort.
Radiating outward from the Wellness Center, clusters of triangular villas reinterpret the geometry of desert tents and nomadic dwellings. Their bold, angular forms rise from the landscape like sculpted terrains, combining privacy and openness. These villas are oriented strategically to capture views of the mountains, olive groves, and inner gardens, while maintaining optimal solar protection. The perforated metal screens—patterned with abstracted motifs from Islamic geometry—filter the sun and cast intricate shadows, giving each interior a dynamic, ever-changing quality of light.
Inside, the design embodies a language of serenity and craft. Walls are finished with carved plaster reliefs and woven latticework that recall the artistry of Andalusian interiors. A palette of natural stone, pale timber, linen, and brass sets a tone of timeless sophistication. The furniture is tactile and low to the ground, evoking intimacy and repose, while generous glazing opens the rooms to the surrounding gardens, blurring the threshold between refuge and landscape.
The landscape master plan transforms the resort into a living, breathing ecosystem. Nature is not a backdrop, but a co-author of the design. The planting strategy emphasizes native and adaptive Mediterranean species—olive, palm, and aromatic herbs—chosen for their resilience and sensory richness. The layout of gardens and pathways encourages slow movement, reflection, and discovery.
Every space within the resort is choreographed to evoke emotion. Intimate courtyards offer solitude for meditation or private dining; shaded terraces encourage social interaction; and open plazas host performances or cultural gatherings. Water plays a central role, not only as a cooling and reflective element but as a metaphor for renewal. Streams, pools, and fountains weave through the site, culminating in the Surf Lagoon, a vast body of crystalline water that doubles as both recreational attraction and environmental feature.
The Surf Lagoon anchors the resort’s leisure zone, offering an active counterpoint to the tranquil wellness spaces. Beyond its visual impact, the lagoon contributes to microclimatic balance—its large surface aids in natural cooling and humidity control. Adjacent facilities, such as the sports courts, celebration gardens, and fire pit lounges, complete the experience of movement and connection, allowing guests to flow effortlessly between activity and rest, social energy and quiet contemplation.
Sustainability at Altaona Sports & Wellness Resort is not an addition—it is the foundation of its design philosophy. The architecture employs passive cooling systems, solar collection technologies, and natural materials to minimize energy consumption. Roofs integrate photovoltaic panels discreetly within their geometry, while rainwater harvesting systems support irrigation of the landscape. Permeable paving and bioswales ensure responsible water management, preserving the hydrological integrity of the site.
Material selection prioritizes local resources and low-carbon production. Clay, timber, and stone are sourced regionally to reduce transportation impact and support local craftsmanship. Each building envelope is designed to optimize insulation and shading according to orientation, reducing mechanical dependency and maintaining indoor comfort naturally.
But sustainability extends beyond environmental metrics—it encompasses cultural and emotional sustainability. By reviving the spatial poetry of Andalusian architecture and reconnecting guests with the slow, sensory rhythms of Mediterranean life, the resort offers a model of regenerative luxury—where wellness, ecology, and heritage coexist harmoniously.
More than a resort, the project is an architectural symphony of balance and belonging. It celebrates the wisdom of tradition while embracing the possibilities of the future. Through its fusion of form, light, and landscape, it offers an experience of stillness, beauty, and renewal—a contemporary sanctuary that honors the timeless dialogue between humanity and the earth.
• GRI Global Awards 2025, Abu Dhabi, UAE : Second Best Hospitality Project Worldwide : Altaona Sports & Welnness Resort (2025)
Rising from the sunlit valley of Murcia, the circular Wellness Center of Altaona stands as the soul of the resort—a symbol of unity between earth, water, and sky. Its geometry is timeless, drawn from the language of sacred patterns and desert architecture. Within its terracotta walls, a lush inner oasis unfolds, filled with palm trees and gentle pools that shimmer beneath the Mediterranean light. Every curve, every shadow, every reflection speaks of renewal and harmony. Surrounding this architectural sanctuary, a landscape of villas and palm-lined paths extends toward the horizon—an orchestrated rhythm between built form and nature. The warm tones of the structures echo the color of the soil, allowing architecture to merge seamlessly with the terrain. From above, Altaona appears like a living mandala—a destination designed for restoration, connection, and balance.
Hidden at the heart of Altaona lies a contemporary oasis — a sanctuary where architecture yields to nature and serenity flows like water through every space. Inspired by the ancestral concept of the desert oasis, this inner world reinterprets the timeless human desire for refuge, beauty, and renewal. Beneath a circular opening, sunlight pours gently from above, illuminating a courtyard where terracotta walls breathe with warmth and life. Delicate screens filter the light into intricate patterns, while the sound of water rises from a tranquil fountain — a reminder that every oasis begins with a spring. Here, air, shade, and movement merge in perfect balance, creating a threshold between earth and sky, stillness and flow.
Beyond this passage, the heart of Altaona reveals itself: a lush water garden surrounded by palm trees, ferns, and flowering vines. The architecture encircles the lagoon protectively, like a jewel within the landscape. Wooden platforms float above crystalline waters; soft lounges invite quiet contemplation; reflections shimmer across the handcrafted walls. Every detail is composed to awaken the senses — the scent of greenery, the cool touch of water, the rhythm of light dancing on the surface. This oasis is more than a place of rest; it is a state of being. Immersed in the lagoon, the body reconnects with the calm pulse of nature. Time slows, thoughts fade, and only presence remains — pure, unhurried, and whole.
Here, wellness is lived, spaces for meditation, yoga, and rest unfold like an architectural poem, guided by geometry and emotion. Cushioned platforms lie beneath lanterns that glow like suspended drops of amber. The air is filled with the scent of wood and soft minerals, while the filtered daylight from vast arches opens each hall to the greenery beyond. Deeper still lies the Hammam, the heart of the ritual. Carved in stone, illuminated by skylights that pierce the vaulted ceiling, this chamber is both ancient and contemporary — a space of purification and rebirth. Water reflects the arches like liquid light, and silence amplifies every drop, every breath. The palette — ochres, sands, and warm whites — grounds the architecture in the memory of the desert, transforming simplicity into luxury. There is no ornament beyond light itself, no distraction beyond form and atmosphere. This is Altaona’s inner architecture: an ode to serenity where design becomes a spiritual act. It embodies the essence of the oasis — not as a place to escape the world, but to return to it renewed, centered, and alive.
The Surf Lagoon is more than a destination for sport; it is an architectural celebration of movement. Shimmering under the Mediterranean sun, its vast expanse of turquoise water becomes a living canvas where surfers trace lines of freedom and flow. Designed to mirror the beauty and power of the sea, every wave is perfectly formed — an invitation to reconnect with nature through motion, balance, and play.
Along the white sand beach, palm trees sway and parasols bloom in vivid colors. Families and friends gather in a landscape designed for joy, where the sound of laughter blends with the song of waves. Wooden decks, shaded lounges, and pools overlooking the lagoon create a space that is both vibrant and serene — a seamless extension of Altaona’s philosophy of holistic wellbeing.
Like a mirage rising from the landscape, The Grand Entrance of Altaona marks the beginning of a journey — a passage from the ordinary into the extraordinary. Here, a sequence of elegant arches stands in perfect rhythm beneath the golden light of Murcia’s sun, framing the horizon as a sacred threshold between earth and sky. Each arch is a gesture of welcome, a modern homage to the geometry of ancient gateways that once defined places of gathering and reflection. The path beneath them feels ceremonial, guiding guests gently forward — step by step — into a world shaped by calm, beauty, and meaning. Flanked by palm trees and fragrant Mediterranean gardens, the walkway is alive with movement and stillness at once: the whisper of the breeze, the rustle of leaves, the distant shimmer of water ahead.
The suites design is born from the timeless poetry of the desert — from the quiet strength of nomadic tents, the shimmer of dunes at sunset, and the ancestral art of creating refuge amid vastness. Their design draws inspiration from the ancient Bedouin tradition, where every shelter was both protection and poetry, both a structure and a story told by wind and sand. The geometry of the suites is a contemporary reimagining of the desert tent. The bold triangular forms, sculpted by sun and shadow, evoke the simplicity and elegance of these ancestral dwellings. Just as the nomadic tent embraced its surroundings, each villa at Altaona rises gently from the landscape, blending with the tones of the earth and the rhythm of the palms.
Inside, the spirit of the desert is translated into modern serenity — open spaces bathed in golden light, natural materials that breathe, and textures that speak of craft and authenticity. The play of fabric and shadow, the filtered glow of lanterns, the soft layering of woven rugs and cushions — all evoke the intimacy and warmth of desert hospitality.
At the heart of Altaona, surrounded by palms and bathed in golden light, lies the Events Courtyard — a stage for life’s most meaningful celebrations. Designed as an open-air sanctuary, this grand circular garden brings together elegance, nature, and emotion in perfect harmony. A path of white stone leads to a delicate pavilion draped in flowers and fabric, its intricate arches glistening under the afternoon sun. Around it, tables and lounges are arranged in flowing symmetry, echoing the geometry of the resort’s architecture. The scent of jasmine and orange blossom lingers in the air, while the rustle of palm leaves becomes the soft soundtrack to each gathering.
Here, every celebration — a wedding, a dinner beneath the stars, a moment shared between loved ones — feels timeless. The architecture dissolves into the landscape, leaving only the experience: laughter carried on the breeze, candlelight reflected in the eyes of guests, the gentle glow of dusk as the day gives way to night.
• GRI Global Awards 2025, Abu Dhabi, UAE : Second Best Hospitality Project Worldwide : Altaona Sports & Welnness Resort (2025)
A contemporary sanctuary rooted in history, culture, and nature, Altaona Sports & Wellness Resort emerges from a profound respect for the land it inhabits and the stories it carries. Just fifteen minutes from the historic city of Murcia, the resort stands as a dialogue between the ancestral and the contemporary, merging the essence of Islamic-Andalusian heritage, the warmth of the Mediterranean landscape, and the harmony of sacred geometry found in nature. It is a destination that invites guests not only to rest but to reconnect—with the land, with themselves, and with the deeper rhythms of life.
The master plan is structured through the principles of sacred geometry, a design philosophy that translates universal patterns—circles, hexagons, and fractals—into the spatial organization of the site. Inspired by the geometric intricacy of Islamic architecture, these patterns express balance, unity, and spiritual continuity, giving form to plazas, courtyards, and gardens that unfold with natural rhythm and human scale. Every axis, every curve, every threshold has symbolic and spatial intent: to guide movement, to inspire stillness, and to create a seamless transition between architecture and landscape.
At the heart of the resort lies the ring-shaped Wellness Center, conceived not merely as a facility, but as the emotional and spiritual core of the entire composition. Its ring-shaped structure embodies connection and infinity, housing within its protective geometry a lush internal oasis. Guests enter a realm of calm and sensory immersion—thermal baths, hammams, treatment rooms, and meditation spaces surround a tranquil water garden shaded by palm canopies. Here, filtered sunlight penetrates through terracotta latticework, dancing across water surfaces and earthen walls, creating an atmosphere of quiet transcendence. The architecture feels ancient in its symbolism, yet forward-looking in its ecological intelligence and spatial fluidity.
The architecture of Altaona Sports & Wellness Resort draws directly from its contextual and cultural roots, using form, material, and texture as tools of storytelling. The built language is defined by a fusion of minimalism and craftsmanship, where every surface is expressive of natural materials and local tradition. The terracotta envelope, crafted from locally sourced clay, provides both chromatic harmony with the surrounding terrain and high thermal inertia, contributing to passive temperature regulation.
A network of arcaded walkways, shaded patios, and open-air lounges create transitional spaces that blur the boundary between indoors and outdoors. The design embraces permeability and climatic responsiveness—natural ventilation and controlled shading maintain comfort throughout the seasons, while the gentle presence of water enhances both sensory and thermal comfort.
Radiating outward from the Wellness Center, clusters of triangular villas reinterpret the geometry of desert tents and nomadic dwellings. Their bold, angular forms rise from the landscape like sculpted terrains, combining privacy and openness. These villas are oriented strategically to capture views of the mountains, olive groves, and inner gardens, while maintaining optimal solar protection. The perforated metal screens—patterned with abstracted motifs from Islamic geometry—filter the sun and cast intricate shadows, giving each interior a dynamic, ever-changing quality of light.
Inside, the design embodies a language of serenity and craft. Walls are finished with carved plaster reliefs and woven latticework that recall the artistry of Andalusian interiors. A palette of natural stone, pale timber, linen, and brass sets a tone of timeless sophistication. The furniture is tactile and low to the ground, evoking intimacy and repose, while generous glazing opens the rooms to the surrounding gardens, blurring the threshold between refuge and landscape.
The landscape master plan transforms the resort into a living, breathing ecosystem. Nature is not a backdrop, but a co-author of the design. The planting strategy emphasizes native and adaptive Mediterranean species—olive, palm, and aromatic herbs—chosen for their resilience and sensory richness. The layout of gardens and pathways encourages slow movement, reflection, and discovery.
Every space within the resort is choreographed to evoke emotion. Intimate courtyards offer solitude for meditation or private dining; shaded terraces encourage social interaction; and open plazas host performances or cultural gatherings. Water plays a central role, not only as a cooling and reflective element but as a metaphor for renewal. Streams, pools, and fountains weave through the site, culminating in the Surf Lagoon, a vast body of crystalline water that doubles as both recreational attraction and environmental feature.
The Surf Lagoon anchors the resort’s leisure zone, offering an active counterpoint to the tranquil wellness spaces. Beyond its visual impact, the lagoon contributes to microclimatic balance—its large surface aids in natural cooling and humidity control. Adjacent facilities, such as the sports courts, celebration gardens, and fire pit lounges, complete the experience of movement and connection, allowing guests to flow effortlessly between activity and rest, social energy and quiet contemplation.
Sustainability at Altaona Sports & Wellness Resort is not an addition—it is the foundation of its design philosophy. The architecture employs passive cooling systems, solar collection technologies, and natural materials to minimize energy consumption. Roofs integrate photovoltaic panels discreetly within their geometry, while rainwater harvesting systems support irrigation of the landscape. Permeable paving and bioswales ensure responsible water management, preserving the hydrological integrity of the site.
Material selection prioritizes local resources and low-carbon production. Clay, timber, and stone are sourced regionally to reduce transportation impact and support local craftsmanship. Each building envelope is designed to optimize insulation and shading according to orientation, reducing mechanical dependency and maintaining indoor comfort naturally.
But sustainability extends beyond environmental metrics—it encompasses cultural and emotional sustainability. By reviving the spatial poetry of Andalusian architecture and reconnecting guests with the slow, sensory rhythms of Mediterranean life, the resort offers a model of regenerative luxury—where wellness, ecology, and heritage coexist harmoniously.
More than a resort, the project is an architectural symphony of balance and belonging. It celebrates the wisdom of tradition while embracing the possibilities of the future. Through its fusion of form, light, and landscape, it offers an experience of stillness, beauty, and renewal—a contemporary sanctuary that honors the timeless dialogue between humanity and the earth.
Rising from the sunlit valley of Murcia, the circular Wellness Center of Altaona stands as the soul of the resort—a symbol of unity between earth, water, and sky. Its geometry is timeless, drawn from the language of sacred patterns and desert architecture. Within its terracotta walls, a lush inner oasis unfolds, filled with palm trees and gentle pools that shimmer beneath the Mediterranean light. Every curve, every shadow, every reflection speaks of renewal and harmony. Surrounding this architectural sanctuary, a landscape of villas and palm-lined paths extends toward the horizon—an orchestrated rhythm between built form and nature. The warm tones of the structures echo the color of the soil, allowing architecture to merge seamlessly with the terrain. From above, Altaona appears like a living mandala—a destination designed for restoration, connection, and balance.
Hidden at the heart of Altaona lies a contemporary oasis — a sanctuary where architecture yields to nature and serenity flows like water through every space. Inspired by the ancestral concept of the desert oasis, this inner world reinterprets the timeless human desire for refuge, beauty, and renewal. Beneath a circular opening, sunlight pours gently from above, illuminating a courtyard where terracotta walls breathe with warmth and life. Delicate screens filter the light into intricate patterns, while the sound of water rises from a tranquil fountain — a reminder that every oasis begins with a spring. Here, air, shade, and movement merge in perfect balance, creating a threshold between earth and sky, stillness and flow.
Beyond this passage, the heart of Altaona reveals itself: a lush water garden surrounded by palm trees, ferns, and flowering vines. The architecture encircles the lagoon protectively, like a jewel within the landscape. Wooden platforms float above crystalline waters; soft lounges invite quiet contemplation; reflections shimmer across the handcrafted walls. Every detail is composed to awaken the senses — the scent of greenery, the cool touch of water, the rhythm of light dancing on the surface. This oasis is more than a place of rest; it is a state of being. Immersed in the lagoon, the body reconnects with the calm pulse of nature. Time slows, thoughts fade, and only presence remains — pure, unhurried, and whole.
Here, wellness is lived, spaces for meditation, yoga, and rest unfold like an architectural poem, guided by geometry and emotion. Cushioned platforms lie beneath lanterns that glow like suspended drops of amber. The air is filled with the scent of wood and soft minerals, while the filtered daylight from vast arches opens each hall to the greenery beyond. Deeper still lies the Hammam, the heart of the ritual. Carved in stone, illuminated by skylights that pierce the vaulted ceiling, this chamber is both ancient and contemporary — a space of purification and rebirth. Water reflects the arches like liquid light, and silence amplifies every drop, every breath. The palette — ochres, sands, and warm whites — grounds the architecture in the memory of the desert, transforming simplicity into luxury. There is no ornament beyond light itself, no distraction beyond form and atmosphere. This is Altaona’s inner architecture: an ode to serenity where design becomes a spiritual act. It embodies the essence of the oasis — not as a place to escape the world, but to return to it renewed, centered, and alive.
The Surf Lagoon is more than a destination for sport; it is an architectural celebration of movement. Shimmering under the Mediterranean sun, its vast expanse of turquoise water becomes a living canvas where surfers trace lines of freedom and flow. Designed to mirror the beauty and power of the sea, every wave is perfectly formed — an invitation to reconnect with nature through motion, balance, and play.
Along the white sand beach, palm trees sway and parasols bloom in vivid colors. Families and friends gather in a landscape designed for joy, where the sound of laughter blends with the song of waves. Wooden decks, shaded lounges, and pools overlooking the lagoon create a space that is both vibrant and serene — a seamless extension of Altaona’s philosophy of holistic wellbeing.
Like a mirage rising from the landscape, The Grand Entrance of Altaona marks the beginning of a journey — a passage from the ordinary into the extraordinary. Here, a sequence of elegant arches stands in perfect rhythm beneath the golden light of Murcia’s sun, framing the horizon as a sacred threshold between earth and sky. Each arch is a gesture of welcome, a modern homage to the geometry of ancient gateways that once defined places of gathering and reflection. The path beneath them feels ceremonial, guiding guests gently forward — step by step — into a world shaped by calm, beauty, and meaning. Flanked by palm trees and fragrant Mediterranean gardens, the walkway is alive with movement and stillness at once: the whisper of the breeze, the rustle of leaves, the distant shimmer of water ahead.
The suites design is born from the timeless poetry of the desert — from the quiet strength of nomadic tents, the shimmer of dunes at sunset, and the ancestral art of creating refuge amid vastness. Their design draws inspiration from the ancient Bedouin tradition, where every shelter was both protection and poetry, both a structure and a story told by wind and sand. The geometry of the suites is a contemporary reimagining of the desert tent. The bold triangular forms, sculpted by sun and shadow, evoke the simplicity and elegance of these ancestral dwellings. Just as the nomadic tent embraced its surroundings, each villa at Altaona rises gently from the landscape, blending with the tones of the earth and the rhythm of the palms.
Inside, the spirit of the desert is translated into modern serenity — open spaces bathed in golden light, natural materials that breathe, and textures that speak of craft and authenticity. The play of fabric and shadow, the filtered glow of lanterns, the soft layering of woven rugs and cushions — all evoke the intimacy and warmth of desert hospitality.
At the heart of Altaona, surrounded by palms and bathed in golden light, lies the Events Courtyard — a stage for life’s most meaningful celebrations. Designed as an open-air sanctuary, this grand circular garden brings together elegance, nature, and emotion in perfect harmony. A path of white stone leads to a delicate pavilion draped in flowers and fabric, its intricate arches glistening under the afternoon sun. Around it, tables and lounges are arranged in flowing symmetry, echoing the geometry of the resort’s architecture. The scent of jasmine and orange blossom lingers in the air, while the rustle of palm leaves becomes the soft soundtrack to each gathering.
Here, every celebration — a wedding, a dinner beneath the stars, a moment shared between loved ones — feels timeless. The architecture dissolves into the landscape, leaving only the experience: laughter carried on the breeze, candlelight reflected in the eyes of guests, the gentle glow of dusk as the day gives way to night.
Nuestras oficinas están en Barcelona, Cancún, Chicago y Santo Domingo, pero gracias a la tecnología podemos desarrollar proyectos en cualquier parte del mundo.
Barcelona
Bac de Roda 136
08020, Barcelona
Spain
Madrid
Av. de Buendía 11
19005 Guadalajara (Madrid)
Spain
Chicago
373 Hazel Ave, Apt A1
60022, Glencoe, Illinois
United States