THIS CIRCULAR COMMUNITY HUB IN MEXICO IS INSPIRED BY THE 'CENOTES' OF THE YUCATAN RAINFORESTS

BY SRISHTI MITRA 02/19/2023



The ‘cenotes’ of Tulum, Mexico are quite iconic and proclaimed by now. These timeless wells are natural pits or sinkholes that are created when limestone bedrock collapse, in turn exposing groundwater. Considered mystical and magical, these wells populate the depths of the Yucatan rainforest, and were considered sacred to the ancient Maya civilization. And these mysterious water bodies have inspired ‘ZENOTE’ – a Work-Play-Live concept designed by DNA Barcelona.

Designer: DNA Barcelona





With ZENOTE, DNA Barcelona attempts to embrace the Mexican jungle by drawing inspiration from the ‘cenotes’. ZENOTE is meant to be a circular building defined with vegetation and greenery, with a central open space functioning as the focal point of the site. “Based on these mythical elements, we developed a project that emerges from the forest, a circular building crowned with vegetation that embraces a central open space full of vegetation that houses the common areas and a large central pool. The façade emulates the colors of the geological cuts that appear in the cenotes, creating a concept of Biophilic Architecture, one of the pillars for DNA Barcelona,” said the studio.



More:
https://www.yankodesign.com/2023/02/19/this-circular-community-hub-in-mexico-is-inspired-by-the-cenotes-of-the-yucatan-rainforests/






Natural cenote



















The Great Blue Cenote in Belize