tadao ando crafts concrete campus for mexico's casa wabi foundation

located in the southern meixcan state of oaxaca, the casa wabi foundation is a multidisciplinary arts center which ‘aims to promote the exchange of ideas between artists of different disciplines and local communities’. situated between the mountains and the pacific ocean, the entire complex was completed by renowned japanese architect tadao ando, whose design seeks to accentuate the region’s natural landscape. the scheme fuses ando’s signature style with elements of traditional mexican architecture. thatched roofs sit atop concrete huts, with wooden doors and items of furniture populating the wide range of secluded and communal spaces.

thatched roofs sit atop concrete huts
all images courtesy of casa wabi (main image © fernanda romandía)

on site facilities include six private bedrooms, two sharing studies, a multipurpose room, a projection room, an exhibition gallery, a sculpture garden and multiple recreational areas. casa wabi serves as a meeting place for artists, offering a variety of residency programs. these stays can range between 15 days and 3 months, with lodging and living expenses covered by the foundation. during their stay, residents keep a journal of their experiences in the format of their choice. these records then become part of the institution’s permanent archive.

the design seeks to accentuate the region’s natural landscape
image © foto studio zabé

ando’s design fuses his own signature style with elements of traditional mexican architecture
image © foto studio zabé

wooden doors and items of furniture populate the site’s different areas
image © foto studio zabé

a communal area for recreation
image © fernanda romandía

image © foto studio zabé

private sleeping quarters
image © foto studio zabé

the complex can host six residents at any one time
image © foto studio zabé

onsite facilities include two sharing studies, a multipurpose room and an exhibition gallery
image © fernanda romandía

the site is open to the public by invitation only
image © fernanda romandía

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