Cancún Center is conceived as a sculptural civic landmark that translates the fluidity of the Caribbean coastline into an iconic conference and events infrastructure. The building mass is modeled as a stratified geological formation, where overlapping shells and terraces evoke cliffs carved by wind and water. This organic volumetry softens the scale of a large convention complex and creates a dynamic silhouette that shifts throughout the day with the movement of the sun.
The architectural language blends resort-like informality with the rigor of high-performance event spaces. Exterior forms are intentionally faceted and folded to modulate light, shade and views, while framing generous public plazas that welcome both international visitors and local communities. The overall composition reinforces Cancún’s identity as a global destination, projecting an image of innovation, culture and hospitality.
The center is positioned as a hinge between the urban fabric and the surrounding landscape, with a forecourt that extends the public realm into the building. Palm-lined promenades guide visitors from drop-off zones to shaded plazas, integrating soft landscaping, water features and native planting to mediate the transition from street to lobby. The porous ground floor opens visually to the exterior, encouraging permeability and informal gathering.
Vehicular circulation is clearly separated from pedestrian flows, ensuring efficient access for large events while preserving a calm, resort-like pedestrian experience. Outdoor terraces and balconies at upper levels orient toward prevailing breezes and key vistas, allowing breakout activities to spill outside and reinforcing the connection to the Caribbean environment.
The envelope is articulated through layered, sloping planes of metal cladding combined with warmer timber-like surfaces. These contrasting materials emphasize the reading of the building as a sequence of geological strata, with metallic facets reflecting the sky and timber volumes grounding the composition. Select volumes are carved back to form deep overhangs, providing shade and creating generous canopies at the main entrances.
Vertical rhythm is introduced by slender structural elements and façade fins that regulate solar gain while adding texture to the building skin. At night, integrated LED lighting animates the outer shell, allowing the center to function as an urban beacon whose color and intensity can be tuned to different events, reinforcing its identity as a dynamic cultural platform.
Internally, the plan is organized around a clear circulation spine that links main lobbies, exhibition halls and conference rooms. This spine operates as an interior boulevard, designed to absorb large visitor flows while maintaining intuitive wayfinding and visual continuity. Flexibility is a primary driver: divisible halls, operable partitions and modular seating systems allow rapid reconfiguration from conventions and trade fairs to concerts and gala events.
Key public spaces are characterized by expressive ceiling geometries and integrated lighting, translating the exterior’s dynamism into the interior. Feature walls composed of vertical fins, sweeping lines and contrasting colors guide movement and create memorable nodes for orientation and social interaction. The interior palette combines light neutrals with warm wood finishes and accent lighting, producing a contemporary yet welcoming ambiance.
Natural light is carefully orchestrated through clerestories and controlled openings, bringing daylight into lobbies and circulation areas while maintaining blackout capability in performance and exhibition spaces. Indirect LED lighting systems with adjustable color temperature respond to different event typologies, enhancing atmosphere and supporting audiovisual requirements.
Acoustic performance is addressed through suspended ceiling baffles, perforated wall panels and sound-absorbing finishes integrated into the aesthetic language. These elements ensure clarity for speech, music and multimedia presentations while containing noise transmission between adjacent halls. Generous volumes, controlled reverberation and effective air distribution contribute to overall user comfort and event quality.
Sustainability is embedded through passive and active design strategies optimized for Cancún’s tropical climate. The building form, with its deep overhangs and faceted façades, reduces direct solar exposure and mitigates heat gain. High-performance glazing, ventilated façade systems and selective use of locally available materials lower the building’s environmental footprint and operational energy demand.
Landscaping employs native and drought-tolerant species, minimizing irrigation needs while enhancing biodiversity and microclimate comfort. Shaded outdoor areas, natural cross-ventilation in semi-open spaces and the potential integration of rainwater harvesting support resource efficiency. Provisions for efficient HVAC systems, LED lighting and building management controls complete a holistic approach that balances iconic architecture with responsible, long-term performance.
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Cancún Center is conceived as a sculptural civic landmark that translates the fluidity of the Caribbean coastline into an iconic conference and events infrastructure. The building mass is modeled as a stratified geological formation, where overlapping shells and terraces evoke cliffs carved by wind and water. This organic volumetry softens the scale of a large convention complex and creates a dynamic silhouette that shifts throughout the day with the movement of the sun.
The architectural language blends resort-like informality with the rigor of high-performance event spaces. Exterior forms are intentionally faceted and folded to modulate light, shade and views, while framing generous public plazas that welcome both international visitors and local communities. The overall composition reinforces Cancún’s identity as a global destination, projecting an image of innovation, culture and hospitality.
The center is positioned as a hinge between the urban fabric and the surrounding landscape, with a forecourt that extends the public realm into the building. Palm-lined promenades guide visitors from drop-off zones to shaded plazas, integrating soft landscaping, water features and native planting to mediate the transition from street to lobby. The porous ground floor opens visually to the exterior, encouraging permeability and informal gathering.
Vehicular circulation is clearly separated from pedestrian flows, ensuring efficient access for large events while preserving a calm, resort-like pedestrian experience. Outdoor terraces and balconies at upper levels orient toward prevailing breezes and key vistas, allowing breakout activities to spill outside and reinforcing the connection to the Caribbean environment.
The envelope is articulated through layered, sloping planes of metal cladding combined with warmer timber-like surfaces. These contrasting materials emphasize the reading of the building as a sequence of geological strata, with metallic facets reflecting the sky and timber volumes grounding the composition. Select volumes are carved back to form deep overhangs, providing shade and creating generous canopies at the main entrances.
Vertical rhythm is introduced by slender structural elements and façade fins that regulate solar gain while adding texture to the building skin. At night, integrated LED lighting animates the outer shell, allowing the center to function as an urban beacon whose color and intensity can be tuned to different events, reinforcing its identity as a dynamic cultural platform.
Internally, the plan is organized around a clear circulation spine that links main lobbies, exhibition halls and conference rooms. This spine operates as an interior boulevard, designed to absorb large visitor flows while maintaining intuitive wayfinding and visual continuity. Flexibility is a primary driver: divisible halls, operable partitions and modular seating systems allow rapid reconfiguration from conventions and trade fairs to concerts and gala events.
Key public spaces are characterized by expressive ceiling geometries and integrated lighting, translating the exterior’s dynamism into the interior. Feature walls composed of vertical fins, sweeping lines and contrasting colors guide movement and create memorable nodes for orientation and social interaction. The interior palette combines light neutrals with warm wood finishes and accent lighting, producing a contemporary yet welcoming ambiance.
Natural light is carefully orchestrated through clerestories and controlled openings, bringing daylight into lobbies and circulation areas while maintaining blackout capability in performance and exhibition spaces. Indirect LED lighting systems with adjustable color temperature respond to different event typologies, enhancing atmosphere and supporting audiovisual requirements.
Acoustic performance is addressed through suspended ceiling baffles, perforated wall panels and sound-absorbing finishes integrated into the aesthetic language. These elements ensure clarity for speech, music and multimedia presentations while containing noise transmission between adjacent halls. Generous volumes, controlled reverberation and effective air distribution contribute to overall user comfort and event quality.
Sustainability is embedded through passive and active design strategies optimized for Cancún’s tropical climate. The building form, with its deep overhangs and faceted façades, reduces direct solar exposure and mitigates heat gain. High-performance glazing, ventilated façade systems and selective use of locally available materials lower the building’s environmental footprint and operational energy demand.
Landscaping employs native and drought-tolerant species, minimizing irrigation needs while enhancing biodiversity and microclimate comfort. Shaded outdoor areas, natural cross-ventilation in semi-open spaces and the potential integration of rainwater harvesting support resource efficiency. Provisions for efficient HVAC systems, LED lighting and building management controls complete a holistic approach that balances iconic architecture with responsible, long-term performance.
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