suspended nest villas cluster around 'life tree' in DNA's tulum resort

DNA presents ‘Life Tree’ resort in Tulum, Mexico

Following its nature-filled ‘Cocoon’ hotel, Barcelona-based architecture firm DNA is unveiling another resort design dubbed ‘Life Tree’ in Tulum, Mexico. Fully embracing the local jungle, the project is composed of ten ‘nest’ villas and twenty hotel lounges clustered around a tree-shaped structure that serves as the heart of the complex. Suspended walkways allow users to wander through the premises and be captured by the natural environment, which enhances the experience.

the project is composed of ten ‘nest’ villas clustered around a tree-shaped structure

all images courtesy of DNA

drawing inspiration from bird nests

DNA’s ‘Life Tree’ project grew out of a desire to create a novel, nature-based experience. From a conceptual point of view, the architects sought the fusion of nature and architecture, an ‘archi-nature’ as they call it.

Taking inspiration from the birds’ nests, the design presents an ensemble of ten cantilevered villas surrounded by vegetation and grouped around the ‘tree of life’ at the center of the resort. These villas form the upper floor of the resort. On the ground floor, there are many common spaces to relax and enjoy the surroundings, such as natural pools, a gym club, spas, a restaurant, and a lounge bar. The arrangement of the nest houses in height, allows maximum views of the natural landscape, in a quiet and restrained context.

‘The set of volumes is arranged in a way that promotes the inclusion of the access spaces in the outdoor space as a whole, allowing the architecture to be understood as something that could coexist with nature.’ the studio explains. ‘From the outside, we were looking for a mimetism with the forms of nature, as well as the materials that it shows us, so that everything forms a unitary set, immersed in nature.’

the ground floor features natural pools, a gym club, spas, a restaurant, and a lounge bar