OUM Wellness in Monterrey, Mexico, is conceived as an urban sanctuary—a place where visitors can reconnect with themselves in a calm, harmonious setting. Designed with sustainability at its core, the building features soft lines and organic forms that flow naturally with the surrounding Monterrey landscape.

Integration with context

The project is carefully integrated into the natural contours of the site, with an open central patio acting as a unifying element that links the various programmatic areas and fosters a sense of continuity within the radial layout. Drawing inspiration from Eastern philosophy—rooted in balance and serenity—OUM Wellness is designed to guide individuals toward inner peace, physical renewal, and a deeper connection with their authentic selves.

Interplay of volumes

The project is shaped by the specific conditions of its site, forming a clear termination to the main street and establishing a strong presence within the urban fabric. Circulation is organized along two primary paths: a pedestrian route that allows for a gradual engagement with the architecture, and glass elevators that move along a vertical courtyard, offering continuous views of the building’s interior and exterior.

The design is structured around two interconnected volumes. The lower volume follows the natural topography, creating functional spaces that remain closely tied to the landscape. Above, a compact suspended volume is positioned along a radial axis, aligning with the overall layout of the master plan and offering varied perspectives from the corner site. This upper level defines a central patio, which remains open at ground level, contributing to a cohesive and spatially generous interior experience.

Bioclimatic architecture 

The project is conceived as a net-zero energy building (NZEB), aiming to balance its annual energy consumption with on-site energy production. Targeting certifications such as LEED and WELL, the design prioritizes passive environmental strategies over mechanical systems to achieve high performance.

A central courtyard functions as a vertical air shaft, facilitating natural convection. As warm air rises, it is cooled by passing over a horizontal water surface in the atrium, contributing to a passive cooling strategy. Vegetation integrated along the building’s vertical surfaces enhances thermal comfort through shading and evapotranspiration.

The façades incorporate pervious concrete panels that reduce solar gain, dissipate heat, and direct natural airflow into the central atrium, supporting a climate-responsive envelope. The combined effect of the courtyard design, open ground-floor topography, and planted surfaces establishes a self-regulating interior climate, reducing the reliance on mechanical systems and supporting energy-efficient user behavior.

Material innovation

The project is designed to operate primarily through passive strategies, enhancing energy efficiency and environmental integration through careful material choices. The longitudinal facades feature a porous concrete lattice that filters solar radiation, dissipates heat, and guides cooling breezes into the central atrium. The thermal mass of the concrete structure helps moderate temperature fluctuations, reducing the demand for mechanical systems.

Annual energy consumption is balanced by on-site renewable energy production. This is achieved through a large pergola on the upper level, fitted with photovoltaic panels that generate electricity while also providing shading for the building below.

The project emerges from the approach of a global perspective, confronted with the special climatic and cultural circumstances of Monterrey. The architecture incorporates the incredible scenery of the clipped mountain range and the extreme character of the place. The result does not respond to preconceived ideas or styles but explores the expressive records of the systems that necessarily combine.