RAUXA

RAUXA is born in a deeply unusual setting: a natural enclave of the Riviera Maya where vegetation, a cenote and a large open palapa define the character of the place. Far from a conventional building, the project is developed beneath a structure of logs and palm leaves, without walls, conceived as a great outdoor theatre in direct contact with the landscape.

The commission arose within an ongoing collaboration with the hotel chain, with the aim of transforming this space into a show restaurant able to offer a completely different experience within a highly competitive hotel environment. From the outset, the ambition was clear: to create an enveloping space, a 360° experience where design did not accompany the show but formed part of it.

The main challenge of the project lay in the palapa itself: an imposing volume, yet limited in accommodating at once the stage, musicians, diners, waiter circulation, bar, backstage, kitchen, air conditioning and universal accessibility. Added to this was the complexity of intervening in a fully operating hotel. The layout was the real turning point of the project, a long and meticulous process to find the exact balance between spectacle, comfort and operations.

The creative concept is built around the four primary elements — air, earth, fire and water— inspired by the sensory intensity of the show the space had to host. This idea translates into multiple layers, some subtle and others explicit: the metal curtain of the stage evokes reflections of light on water; the glass patterns recall dry earth; the black, red and gold tones evoke fire; and the points of light scattered across the ceiling represent the sky.

The materiality responds both to the narrative and to the demands of intensive use. Fire-retardant lacquered woods, high-resistance ceramics, high-traffic upholstery and carefully integrated technical and decorative lighting make it possible to control the atmosphere without losing intensity. The whole project was designed and executed to measure, from the furniture to the stage elements, reinforcing the sense of total immersion.

The execution process was complex and demanding. The carpentry, a key part of the project, was carried out entirely on site by a specialist team of Colombian carpenters brought to Mexico, whose experience was decisive in reaching the required level of quality within the established deadlines. Collaboration with local suppliers was partial, especially for lighting and general works, adapting to the dynamics and limitations of the context.

RAUXA is experienced today as a space of high sensory intensity. The user does not simply attend a dinner with a show, but is immersed in a controlled, changing and enveloping environment, where architecture, interior design, lighting and narrative work together. The space is not a backdrop: it is an active part of the show.