CCA | Bernardo Quinzaños - Orchid Pavilion for Casa Wabi - Puerto Escondido - Mexico

2024-12-18

Merging Oaxacan Craft, Japanese Philosophy, and Sustainable Design to Preserve Orchids

The Orchid Pavilion, designed for Casa Wabi, is located on the outskirts of Puerto Escondido, between the sea and the mountains. It is a wooden structure—permanent, sustainable, and lightweight—dedicated to the conservation of orchids in the Oaxaca region, celebrating the strong interplay between the biological and cultural diversity of the landscape.

As the firm approached the design of the Orchid Pavilion, their research pointed toward creating optimal conditions for orchids to thrive: a humid, partially shaded, and well-ventilated environment. This led to the development of clear technical features that ensure the pavilion’s functionality. However, the deeper inspiration for the project came from exploring the relationship between the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi and the rich traditions of the Oaxacan coast. Wabi-Sabi—which finds beauty and harmony in simplicity, imperfection, and unconventionality—resonates with the region’s vernacular, locally sourced materials, and the exceptional craftsmanship of its artisans. This connection became the foundation of CCA | Bernardo Quinzaños' design approach, along with an unexpected guiding concept: the Japanese word Ikigai.

Ikigai (生き甲早, ‘a reason for being‘) can be translated as the happiness derived from living with purpose. The term combines iki (生き, meaning ‘life’ or ‘alive’) and kai (甲早, meaning ‘effect, result, fruit, or worth’). This philosophy—centered on finding joy in purposeful activity—aligned perfectly with the pavilion’s goals of fostering a meditative, harmonious space for both orchids and visitors. By creating a space that embodies Ikigai, the pavilion invites guests to reconnect with their own sense of purpose amidst the serenity of nature.

The design prioritizes three main elements:

Functional simplicity: Twelve concrete-based humidifiers, utilizing gravity, create a controlled humid environment ideal for orchids from the Oaxacan coast. This system ensures the orchids thrive without manual watering. Sustainable materials: Locally sourced wood and custom-made concrete ceramic pieces, fired in high-temperature kilns, form the structure. These materials echo the vernacular traditions of the region, while adhering to sustainable practices. A sanctuary for reflection: Beyond its technical role, the pavilion aims to evoke a profound sense of Ikigai in its visitors. Entering the space, one breathes in the humidity, hears the gentle drops of water, and feels the crossing winds—a sensory experience that fosters introspection and harmony.

The central element supporting orchid growth is the carefully maintained humid environment. Pyramid-shaped, water-filled concrete basins crown the wooden structure, releasing tiny droplets that drip to the ground, where they are collected by permanently humid concrete trays. This process not only sustains the orchids, but also eliminates the need for manual irrigation. The breeze and warmth allow the plants to absorb moisture directly from the air and surfaces, mimicking their natural habitat.

For guests of Casa Wabi, the Orchid Pavilion offers a tranquil refuge after a long walk. The shared water—consumed by both people and orchids—becomes a metaphor for humanity’s connection to nature. The sound of dripping water resonates with natural cycles and human activity, creating a contemplative journey that reorients visitors to the humble root of life.

Fundación Casa Wabi is a non-profit organization that fosters dialogue between contemporary art and local communities across its locations in Puerto Escondido, Mexico City, and Tokyo. Rooted in the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi, the foundation’s mission is to promote social development through art via five core programs: residencies, exhibitions, pottery, film, and a mobile library. In recent years, the foundation has inaugurated several notable projects, including a Ceramic Pavilion by Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza (Pritzker, 1992), a Guayacán Pavilion by Mexican studio Ambrosi Etchegaray, a Henhouse by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, a Compost Pavilion by Paraguayan architects Solano Benítez and Gloria Cabral, and, more recently, a high-temperature oven and gardens by Mexican architect Alberto Kalach. Each of these pavilions provides functional spaces that support the foundation’s programs, while celebrating the convergence of art, architecture, and community.

About Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónica (CCA)

Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónica (CCA) is an architecture practice founded in 2008 by Bernardo Quinzaños (Mexico City, 1984) and based in Mexico City. The studio has operated as an independent space dedicated to the research, conceptualization, and development of architectural and urban projects, focused on generating a positive impact on both context and society.

Bernardo Quinzaños, as CEO and Creative Director of CCA, has developed significant public, urban, and cultural projects, as well as individual and collective housing. His work is characterized by geometric qualities, innovation in structural systems, and sustainability with a humanistic approach. Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónica (CCA) has received various awards and recognitions, including “Cultural Space of the Year 2024” by FRAME Magazine, "Cemex Works Award 2023" First Place, "Shortlisted AR Emerging Awards 2022" by The Architectural Review, "Building of the Year 2021" by Archdaily, "Emerging Voices 2019" by the Architectural League of New York, "Design Icons Award" by Architectural Digest, "International Architecture Award" by The Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture, "Best of Design Award 2019" by The Architect's Newspaper, "Silver Medal" at the XV National Biennial of Mexican Architecture, and many more.

Photo credit: Rafael Gamo - Jaime Navarro