The lobby at WOHA serves as a threshold between urban life and the sanctuary of home, conceived as a spatial prologue to the sustainable living experience offered by the building. It is designed not simply as a reception area, but as an architectural statement—merging hospitality, wellness, and environmental consciousness into a singular, refined expression. The spatial composition emphasizes openness, natural materials, and a seamless integration with the tropical context of Puerto Cancún.
Upon entry, visitors are greeted by a double-height space that visually extends toward the lush landscape beyond. The reception desk is positioned as a sculptural anchor—a faceted monolith of dark stone that contrasts against the warm, vertical wooden slats behind it. Circulation paths are intuitively organized, guiding users toward social lounges, elevators, and landscaped courtyards. The layout ensures clear visual connectivity and efficient flow, eliminating clutter and prioritizing calm transitions. The spatial narrative is reinforced by the axial view from the reception desk to the exterior garden, underscoring the project's commitment to biophilic design and indoor-outdoor continuity.
The interior material palette combines contemporary finishes with natural warmth. Light marble-effect porcelain flooring extends across the lobby, offering both elegance and durability. Feature walls are clad in FSC-certified oak slats, providing rhythm, acoustic control, and texture. These vertical elements continue into the ceiling, visually unifying the space and emphasizing the height of the volume. Furniture pieces are crafted from solid wood and soft upholstery in neutral tones, arranged in informal clusters to foster interaction and relaxation. Potted tropical plants and integrated greenery enhance the ambiance, bringing nature into the heart of the building.
Expansive floor-to-ceiling glazing floods the lobby with daylight while framing views of the tropical landscaping outside. This design move reduces reliance on artificial lighting during the day and reinforces a connection to the natural setting. Overhead fans, strategically positioned, provide comfort in place of energy-intensive air conditioning during milder weather, aligning with passive ventilation strategies. The biophilic intent of the space is further emphasized by the inclusion of indoor planting niches and a curated selection of greenery placed at eye level—creating a living backdrop that evolves with the seasons.
Beyond its aesthetic function, the lobby is a multi-programmatic space. It includes a reading nook with integrated shelving, a business-style co-working corner with dedicated seating, and informal meeting areas. These inclusions ensure that the lobby is not just a transitory space but also a functional social hub where residents can work, relax, or engage with the community. The choice of materials and furnishings promotes acoustic comfort, visual softness, and thermal stability, creating an environment that is as serene as it is practical.
The lobby exemplifies WOHA’s sustainable ethos through its material choices, spatial efficiency, and environmental responsiveness. The use of locally sourced wood, energy-efficient lighting, and passive climate strategies such as solar orientation and natural ventilation all contribute to the project's reduced ecological footprint. By merging architecture and nature, the WOHA lobby becomes a place of encounter, reflection, and transition—elevating everyday experience while remaining deeply rooted in the principles of sustainable design.
• The Architecture Community International Residential Architecture Awards 2022 : Winner : Woha (2022)
• The Architecture Community International Residential Architecture Awards 2022 : Winner : Woha (2022)
The lobby at WOHA serves as a threshold between urban life and the sanctuary of home, conceived as a spatial prologue to the sustainable living experience offered by the building. It is designed not simply as a reception area, but as an architectural statement—merging hospitality, wellness, and environmental consciousness into a singular, refined expression. The spatial composition emphasizes openness, natural materials, and a seamless integration with the tropical context of Puerto Cancún.
Upon entry, visitors are greeted by a double-height space that visually extends toward the lush landscape beyond. The reception desk is positioned as a sculptural anchor—a faceted monolith of dark stone that contrasts against the warm, vertical wooden slats behind it. Circulation paths are intuitively organized, guiding users toward social lounges, elevators, and landscaped courtyards. The layout ensures clear visual connectivity and efficient flow, eliminating clutter and prioritizing calm transitions. The spatial narrative is reinforced by the axial view from the reception desk to the exterior garden, underscoring the project's commitment to biophilic design and indoor-outdoor continuity.
The interior material palette combines contemporary finishes with natural warmth. Light marble-effect porcelain flooring extends across the lobby, offering both elegance and durability. Feature walls are clad in FSC-certified oak slats, providing rhythm, acoustic control, and texture. These vertical elements continue into the ceiling, visually unifying the space and emphasizing the height of the volume. Furniture pieces are crafted from solid wood and soft upholstery in neutral tones, arranged in informal clusters to foster interaction and relaxation. Potted tropical plants and integrated greenery enhance the ambiance, bringing nature into the heart of the building.
Expansive floor-to-ceiling glazing floods the lobby with daylight while framing views of the tropical landscaping outside. This design move reduces reliance on artificial lighting during the day and reinforces a connection to the natural setting. Overhead fans, strategically positioned, provide comfort in place of energy-intensive air conditioning during milder weather, aligning with passive ventilation strategies. The biophilic intent of the space is further emphasized by the inclusion of indoor planting niches and a curated selection of greenery placed at eye level—creating a living backdrop that evolves with the seasons.
Beyond its aesthetic function, the lobby is a multi-programmatic space. It includes a reading nook with integrated shelving, a business-style co-working corner with dedicated seating, and informal meeting areas. These inclusions ensure that the lobby is not just a transitory space but also a functional social hub where residents can work, relax, or engage with the community. The choice of materials and furnishings promotes acoustic comfort, visual softness, and thermal stability, creating an environment that is as serene as it is practical.
The lobby exemplifies WOHA’s sustainable ethos through its material choices, spatial efficiency, and environmental responsiveness. The use of locally sourced wood, energy-efficient lighting, and passive climate strategies such as solar orientation and natural ventilation all contribute to the project's reduced ecological footprint. By merging architecture and nature, the WOHA lobby becomes a place of encounter, reflection, and transition—elevating everyday experience while remaining deeply rooted in the principles of sustainable design.
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