This project, one of the most peculiar we have done, presented difficulties that we had never faced. It consists of developing two areas, interconnected, but radically different. The first, the interior of a cave in a mountain located in the green area of a very ambitious real estate development in the state of Querétaro. This cave – of about 80 m2 on its floor – had as its first challenge the lifting of the space for which we use state-of-the-art technology.
The second part was the side of the mountain where the entrance of the cave led, that is, a totally open space, with steep slopes and varied vegetation. Like the interior of the cave, it also required sophisticated methods to generate the plans necessary for the development of the project.
Once the initial obstacles had been overcome and with plans in hand, we set about developing the conceptual part of the space. In this, a place for wine tasting was proposed inside the cave and some platforms to hold events on the mountain and the interaction of both concepts.
It was decided to respect the natural forms of the cave as much as possible, forcing us to delimit the areas through which people could walk. This was achieved with a kind of wooden mats in the form of platforms on the existing sandy ground that, with games of lights in their floated parts, gives the feeling of being in a speleological space. As we already mentioned, lighting played an essential role inside the cave, generating dramatic and theatrical atmospheres.
The rustic and minimal furniture emphasizes the natural atmosphere of the space, as well as taking advantage of the strong natural light that enters through the mouth of the cave, contrasting with the artificial light.
As in the interior, a series of floating platforms were proposed on the mountain, much larger than those in the cave, at different levels that descend parallel to the natural inclination and are intentionally placed slightly irregularly. Under one of these platforms the bathrooms and kitchen facilities for events were located. Finally, to protect people from the direct sun, a large candle was placed that also serves as a visual reference from a long distance.
The result is a pleasant place to do from small meetings around the culture of wine inside the cave or a cocktail for about 150 people on the outdoor platforms. And the above with an important commercial character since it is believed that this will be the point where more sales will be closed of the real estate complex.
