Mexican architectural studio V Taller has completed a striking residential complex in Tulum, Mexico, that draws inspiration from the mythical Tower of Babel. The 6,178-square-meter (66,500-square-foot) development features a series of vaulted apartments arranged around a central tower, all finished in distinctive pink stucco using traditional Yucateán materials.
Completed in 2024, the innovative project serves as what the Guadalajara-based studio describes as an "architectural response to the intersection of space, time and environment, redefining architecture as a regenerative force rather than an imposition on the landscape." The complex demonstrates a sustainable approach to tourism development in the popular Mexican Caribbean destination.
At the heart of the development stands a sculptural round tower that serves as both a visual centerpiece and symbolic reference to the biblical Tower of Babel. The tower features vertical slit windows and is accessed by a dramatic freestanding staircase that crosses over a small moat. Vegetation rings both the base and crown of the structure, while a triangular opening at the top frames views of the sky above.
"Through its interplay of mass and void, solidity and openness, it embodies Babel's fundamental approach where architecture serves not only as shelter but as a mediator between human experience and the natural world," V Taller explained in their project description.
The overall site plan resembles an eye shape, with the central tower positioned as the pupil. Nearly 60 residential units are distributed across three levels, surrounding a planted courtyard designed to allow for reforestation and optimize natural airflow throughout the complex. Despite being built on less than one acre of land, the curved vertical design reduces land consumption by approximately 40 percent compared to conventional horizontal developments while preserving significant open spaces.
The residential units cater to both Tulum's thriving tourism industry and permanent residents, offering a mix of short-term rental accommodations and long-term homes. Each apartment features fully equipped kitchens, combined living and dining areas, private bedrooms and bathrooms, plus either a garden or balcony complete with an integrated jacuzzi.
The apartments are connected by narrow staircases that function as "tunnels of light," and are arranged in a radial pattern topped by a series of both straight and wedge-shaped barrel vaults. The layout of each unit varies subtly depending on its position within the curved structure, ensuring that every residence maintains what the architects describe as "a seamless connection with its surroundings."
Each level of the complex offers distinct architectural features that enhance the living experience. Ground floor units are characterized by an arched colonnade that opens directly onto the central courtyard, creating a strong indoor-outdoor connection. The middle level features inverted semi-circular openings on internal balconies, while the double-height upper floor units allow natural light and courtyard views through elongated oval-shaped openings.
The entire project is finished in chukum, a traditional limestone-based stucco indigenous to the Yucatán Peninsula. This handcrafted material, applied over reinforced concrete, displays a soft pink color and is highly valued for its resistance to humidity, thermal regulation properties, and low maintenance requirements in the tropical climate.
Interior spaces feature tropical wood species and clay elements that create a warm, textured atmosphere reflecting regional craftsmanship traditions. Large windows throughout the units provide cross-ventilation and abundant natural light, significantly reducing the need for mechanical cooling systems in the humid tropical environment.
"By prioritizing spatial efficiency, material authenticity, and bioclimatic strategies, the project establishes a regenerative framework for sustainable tourism," the studio stated. "Rather than treating architecture as an isolated object, Babel fosters a continuous interaction between built space and nature, where light, vegetation, and air shape the experience of inhabitation."
The project represents part of V Taller's broader portfolio exploring regional Mexican architecture and sustainable design principles. The studio, led by architects Daniel Villanueva and Miguel Valverde, has previously drawn upon hacienda architecture for a stucco house design in Jalisco and collaborated with Mexican firm Santoscreativos on a flexible-layout house in Guadalajara. The Babel housing complex was photographed by Conie Suárez, with civil works completed by MAQTE Company and Bramah Developments.
