Wabi Residences / RA!

Architects: RA!
Photographs: Ariadna Polo
Design Team: RA! (Pedro Ramírez de Aguilar, Santiago Sierra, Cristóbal Ramírez de Aguilar, Alejandro Hernández, Lourdes Gamez y Mateo Vázquez del Mercado)
Developer: Namus
Interior Design: Namus + Casa Portal + RA!
Engineering: EMX Structural Engineering
City: Tulum
Country: Mexico

Hacienda Wabi residential complex by RA! in Tulum integrates architectural elements with jungle vegetation through terraces, stairways, and a fragmented courtyard. Developed by Namus, the three-level project organizes 15 apartments around a central space that supports circulation and creates intimate zones. Staggered volumes reference ancient settlements and promote ventilation and light. The program transitions vertically from ground-level gardens and pools to upper-level roof gardens overlooking treetops. Materials include local stone and Chukum plaster in neutral tones, allowing greenery to dominate and reflecting the project’s ruin-inspired design narrative.

Hacienda Wabi is a residential complex embedded in the jungle landscape of Tulum. The project was developed by Namus, a boutique real estate firm, and designed by RA!. Its composition of terraces and stairways rises from the ground and gradually blends with the surrounding vegetation. The design adopts ruin aesthetics to reinterpret the passage of time through architectural form.

The structure consists of staggered volumes arranged upward in layers. This stepped configuration references the ancient settlements that once occupied the region and allows natural light and ventilation to reach every block of the building. Planters placed along the perimeter of terraces enable vegetation to spread over façades, reinforcing the building’s relationship with the jungle.

At the core of the complex lies a fragmented courtyard that organizes circulation and shapes smaller, more intimate spaces. This courtyard links the 15 residential units distributed across three levels. Pathways connect these apartments to semi-public zones that house amenities such as the swimming pool and recreational areas.

The program changes across levels. Ground floors integrate gardens and pools, first floors provide terraces with jacuzzis, and roof levels introduce roof gardens offering views toward the treetops. This vertical sequence creates a gradual transition from private living spaces to elevated outdoor experiences.

Material selection emphasizes local resources and textures. Stone forms the base of the structure, while Chukum plaster, a traditional Yucatán finish, covers upper levels. The neutral palette reduces visual dominance and allows greenery to become a central feature of the architecture.

Hacienda Wabi combines ecological sensitivity with contextual references to create a residential model aligned with Tulum’s natural and cultural setting. By merging modern residential needs with a design that embraces time and vegetation, the project contributes to a broader dialogue on building within sensitive environments.