Casa Ballena Art Center / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados

Casa Ballena Art Center / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados - Exterior Photography, Facade, ConcreteCasa Ballena Art Center / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados - Interior PhotographyCasa Ballena Art Center / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados - Interior Photography, StairsCasa Ballena Art Center / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados - Exterior PhotographyCasa Ballena Art Center / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados - More Images+ 35

  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  6996 ft²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2019
  • Photographs
    Photographs:Rafael Gamo
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  AutoDesk, Sherwin-Williams, Blanco, Construlita, Delta, EMI, Fester, GE, Helvex, Kohler, Magg, Materiales Nativos, NOVIDESA, Proline, Tarengo, Tech Dry, Teka, Trimble Navigation, Ventor, Whirpool
  • Lead Architect: RIMA Arquitectura
  • Design Team: Gerry Rivero, Maritere Rivero, Antonio Gil
  • Construction Team: Noé Cante, Xitlalli Ceseña, Carlos Espino, Pedro Ricardez, Jorge Montaño
  • Engineering: Grupo SAI
  • Landscape: RIMA Arquitectura
  • Collaborators: Francisco L. Guerra
  • City: San José del Cabo
  • Country: Mexico
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Casa Ballena Art Center / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados - Exterior Photography, Facade, Concrete
© Rafael Gamo

Text description provided by the architects. Casa Ballena is an art center designed for a Mexican artist who was looking to create a studio for Mexican and international artists, immersing them in the most unique experience in Los Cabos.

Casa Ballena Art Center / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados - Exterior Photography, Stairs, Facade, Door, Concrete
Casa Ballena Art Center / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados - Image 32 of 40
Ground floor plan
Casa Ballena Art Center / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados - Exterior Photography, Concrete, Beam
© Rafael Gamo

Its design emanates from excavation and earthmoving, taking advantage of the topography in order to play with different heights and create a natural buffer that allows both the control and direction of the views, as well as the creation of a private and internal experience. The earth that was removed to set the platforms, was reused to build the rammed earth walls. 

Casa Ballena Art Center / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados - Exterior Photography, Concrete
© Rafael Gamo

This art center offers three workshops, an exhibition space, several multi-purpose patios, administrative area, dining and living halls, warehouses and a 7,000m2 natural area that shelters the native vegetation of the region.

Casa Ballena Art Center / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados - Exterior Photography, Column
© Rafael Gamo
Casa Ballena Art Center / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados - Exterior Photography, Facade, Concrete
© Rafael Gamo

The building system is rammed earth, a material that brings character to buildings through its textures also creates a micro-weather necessary for the climatic conditions in Los Cabos and acoustically isolates the workshops.

Casa Ballena Art Center / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados - Interior Photography
Casa Ballena Art Center / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados - Image 35 of 40
Section 02
Casa Ballena Art Center / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados - Interior Photography, Kitchen

The orientation was planned according to each building’s function, positioning the workshops facing north, while the living and dining halls, administrative area, and future residences face south with views towards the marina at Puerto Los Cabos. Each building zoning helps in providing shade in the different patios and responds to the privacy needs required by each area, from the most public to the most private.

Casa Ballena Art Center / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados - Interior Photography

The relationship with nature is very important to this project; the buildings concentrate on the terrain achieving an internal experience that brings privacy to artists across patios which all have different purposes: reception area, or a place to rest, work or socialize, some being more private than others.

Casa Ballena Art Center / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados - Interior Photography, Stairs, Windows
© Rafael Gamo

The gallery which is north-south oriented has natural overhead light which, given the geometry of the roof, allows better diffusion of light for the exhibited art pieces. The gallery, together with the painting and typography workshops have the same orientation giving the artists assurance that their work will have the same light exposition from the early creative stages until the exhibition. As for the print workshop, has controlled light openings according to the functions performed in this workshop.

Casa Ballena Art Center / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados - Interior Photography, Glass, Concrete
© Rafael Gamo
Casa Ballena Art Center / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados - Image 39 of 40
Elevations 02
Casa Ballena Art Center / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados - Exterior Photography, Facade
© Rafael Gamo

The workshops and the gallery enclose the main patio: a work and contemplation space for artists with a water mirror that gives character and makes it more user-friendly. The gallery’s rooftop can be accessed from this patio; a rooftop that turns into a lookout point and botanical garden thanks to the planters which give a home to endemic grass and which are also the structure to provide light inside of the gallery. At the same time, this gallery rooftop is linked to the print workshop rooftop: a perfect space to socialize under the shadow of the pergola.

Casa Ballena Art Center / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados - Exterior Photography, Facade

The private studio which is separated from the rest, not only serves as a paint workshop for artists, it is also a resting hall furnished with a bathroom and kitchen. It also has a terrace facing south and covered by a pergola, providing a peaceful space to contemplate the landscape and the marina.

Casa Ballena Art Center / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados - Exterior Photography
© Rafael Gamo

Project gallery

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Project location

Address:San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Casa Ballena Art Center / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados" [Casa Ballena / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados] 17 Jun 2021. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/942459/casa-ballena-art-center-rima-arquitectura> ISSN 0719-8884

© Rafael Gamo

墨西哥艺术中心 Ballena / R/MA Rivero Mas Asociados

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