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Hotels • Playa del Carmen, Mexico Architects: Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos

Year Completion year of this architecture project Year: 2015

Photographs Photographs: Paul Rivera

Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project Porcelanosa Grupo CYMISA , Carpenter , Grupo Arca , Porcewol by Alfher , Solarix , Ula Light Manufacturers:

Project Manager: Daniel López

Engineering Coordination: Marcos Hernández

Engineering Team: Juan Carlos Díaz y Héctor Ruiz

Construction Coordination: CPMA Construction Managers Asociados

Media & Marketing: Rosalba Rojas, Jimena Orvañanos

Design Team: Liliana Reyes, Maricarmen Lazo, Perla Vázquez, André Jacques, Gabriela Puente

Interior Design: Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos + Rockwell Group

Sma Interior Design Director: Nadia Borrás. Enrique Ralph

Sma Interior Design Team: Gzgregorz Leiner, Fernanda Sotomayor, Regina Jarque

Rockwell Group Founder And President: David Rockwell

Rockwell Group Studio Leader: Carmen Aguilar

Rockwell Group Design Team: Hilli Wuerz, Barry Richards, Tomas Predrasa, Daniel Holguin, Patricia Barbis, Mónica Gutiérrez

Structural Engineering: Aguilar Ingenierios

Electrical Engineering: Circuito Ingenieros Consultores Electromecánicos

Air Conditioning Engineering: IACSA

Systems & Special Engineering: Innovative Designs

Hydrosanitary Engineering: Garza Maldonado Ingenieros

Lighting Consultant: Luz y Forma

Audio & Video Consultant: Circuito

Landscape Consultant: Gabayet Paisajistas

Construction: ARCA Desarrollos

Client Manager / Design Coordination: Mark Seligson – architecturalTACTICS

City: Playa del Carmen

Country: Mexico

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Text description provided by the architects. As one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in the Mexican Caribbean, the paradise-like Playa del Carmen makes a great leap forward with the development of the Hotel Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen.

This project, in the heart of Playa del Carmen, is located on an irregular site that slopes down to the sea, with a 140-meter beachfront and a significant area of natural mangrove to be preserved.

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A series of studies of distribution, land use and protection of the natural area led to the development of an architectural program divided into three blocks. Each block is designed with a different intention and purpose to generate a wide range of sensations, routes and experiences for guests or visitors.

The first block forms the connection between the avenue and the hotel, creating an interior roadway for pedestrians and vehicles lined by retail stores, generating an informal urban ambience recalling that of the famous 5th Avenue. This indoor street ascends to define the access route to the main plaza, which becomes the motor lobby. Taking advantage of this elevation, the ballrooms are located beneath the plaza, while the back of house areas are located underneath this indoor street.

The second block is located at the center of the site, forming a visual and spatial connection between the various elements. It takes a rectangular shape, surrounded by a four- story block of hotel rooms. Inside are the fabulous mangrove gardens, which are preserved and used to create a central garden, the perfect setting for the surrounding rooms.

Above this garden and right at the center of the second block there is an open covered pedestrian walkway, with amenities, pavilions and exceptional sea views, which can be seen from the first block. The space beneath this promenade area is employed for the meeting rooms and spa. A large curved, conical, stone-clad volume rising from the earth is the principal visual element relating to the spa. Its design alludes to the magnificent cenote pools that are unique to this area. Inside, an expansive, peaceful space is provided for guests to relax.

As the closest to the sea, the third block offers the best views, which are shared with the rest of the site and enhanced with a striking 12-meter high window that spans 55 meters.

This final block is the heart of the hotel and accommodates the entertainment amenities, with the advantage of the direct contact with the beach. The pools and terraces surround the four-story building providing the rooms and suites with the best views.

The selection of materials and finishes was based on adaptation to the surroundings, with sand-colored cladding and stone, extensive use of natural wood, native vegetation, water bodies, and warm, indirect lighting, among other details. The project’s largest and most significant spaces were purpose-designed to showcase artworks. The concept of this art was worked on in conjunction with the artist César López-Negrete, and his pieces were specifically created for this project.