Embedded in the Yucatan jungle, Hacienda Itzancab transforms an 870-hectare colonial estate into a self-sufficient luxury sanctuary. Restoring the original 19th-century hacienda as the nucleus, the project establishes a "resort village" model rooted in traditional Yucatecan urbanism. The master plan organizes amenities, including a marketplace and restaurant, around a central plaza and a sacred cenote, a natural limestone sinkhole serving as the ecological anchor.
Within this village core, guest rooms are elevated to the second story, featuring private balconies and gardens that merge with the jungle canopy. Beyond the historic grounds, two new guest typologies, semi-private and standalone villas, are sited to maximize immersion in the landscape. Drawing on local construction techniques and vernacular language, the architecture is impactful, immersive, and luxurious while remaining deeply rooted in its location. Through passive design strategies such as high ceilings, modest window-to-wall ratios, and cross ventilation, the project ensures ecological sensitivity. The result is a self-sufficient, low-impact hospitality experience where the architecture dissolves into the landscape.
