Darzana

The client envisioned a project with a strong spiritual essence—an environment designed for yoga classes, meditation sessions, and spiritual retreats. From the very beginning, they emphasized the importance of protecting the natural surroundings, requesting that the project be fully integrated into the context without cutting down a single tree.

One of the main design guidelines was that the base grid should be octagonal, serving as the conceptual compass that organizes the arrangement of all volumes. The architectural program included a main hall, three cabins, a kitchen, bathrooms, a storage room, mechanical rooms, and open relaxation areas, all conceived as independent structures.

At the heart of the project is the Ashram (main hall). As the central volume, it is clad in mirror-like glass that reflects the surrounding greenery and allows the building to blend seamlessly with the forest. However, the interior offers a contrasting experience: the space feels open, translucent, and honest, revealing its metal structure and providing a privileged view of the treetops that frame the site.
In contrast, the cabins and the rest of the volumes were designed as solid structures, featuring polished cement shells in a natural finish, complemented by mirror-glass windows and wooden elements. Each cabin includes a private bathroom and a terrace.

The exterior spaces follow the same design language. Individual courtyards were created using tezontle stone and local vegetation such as agaves and pampas grass, reinforcing the project’s harmonious integration with the surrounding landscape.