Located 30 minutes from Puerto Escondido, Kymaia is a retreat on the Oaxacan coast designed by the Mexican studio Productora. The project, conceived by Ezequiel Ayarza Sforza, integrates architectural forms with the coastal landscape. The design references local building traditions and features a material palette of stucco, clay, and wood, echoing the textures and tones of the surrounding environment.

Architecture within the Oaxacan landscape

The hotel is situated between the sea and the Oaxacan jungle. The layout of the 22 suites is designed to follow the site’s natural topography. The four Ocean Front Suites are positioned on the highest part of the complex, offering views of the Pacific Ocean. The remaining rooms are housed in structures inspired by pre-Hispanic pyramids. Nine Senior Suites are located on the ground floor, while nine Junior Suites occupy the upper level. Common areas, including three restaurants, a spa, and trails, are positioned to integrate with the landscape, with a focus on preserving the site’s natural vegetation.

Local materials 

Productora’s architectural design draws from traditional Oaxacan construction techniques. The use of local materials, such as stucco, clay, and wood, connects the buildings to the regional cultural and environmental context. This material selection results in a palette of sand tones and wood finishes, which harmonise with the natural surroundings. The forms of the buildings are intended to appear as if emerging from the earth, blending with the shapes and colours of the landscape.

Landscape and ecology

A key aspect of the project is the regeneration of the natural landscape. The design includes several distinct garden areas that recreate local ecosystems: El Palmar, La Nopalera, El Humedal, and El Guayacán. These areas are populated with typical flora of the region, providing a framework that organises and guides the visitor experience. The intentional incorporation of these local ecosystems demonstrates a consideration for the site’s biodiversity.

Culinary and wellness spaces

The project features different spaces for the visitors to reflect on the local context. There are three distinct restaurants on site, utilising Oaxacan ingredients and traditional cooking methods. And the wellness areas, including a dedicated Shala for yoga and meditation, are designed to extend the experience of the natural environment through activities such as hiking and surfing.

Kymaia’s design by Productora positions the project within its Oaxacan context through a focus on local materials and site-specific architectural forms. The integration of the buildings with the landscape and the regeneration of local ecosystems are central to the project's identity. The retreat presents a relationship between the built and natural environments, using architecture as a means of engaging with the surrounding territory.