Bamboo Treehouses At Playa Viva / Atelier Nomadic

Architects: Atelier Nomadic
Area: 448 m²
Year: 2021
Photographs: Kevin Steele, AVABLU, Playa Viva
Manufacturers: AutoDesk, Lumion, Rhinoceros
Lead Architect: Olav Bruin
Architect: Luca Fiammetta
Architect: Maddalena Losindaco
City: El Calvario
Country: Mexico

Bamboo Treehouses at Playa Viva, an eco-resort in Mexico, designed by Atelier Nomadic, redefine sustainable tourism with off-grid solar-powered structures. The resort operates entirely on solar energy, supports local health and education, restores surrounding ecosystems, and houses the La Tortuga Viva turtle sanctuary. The latest addition features six bamboo treehouses inspired by Mobula Rays, situated on coconut palms along the coastline, each with a master bedroom, an annex containing a bathroom below, and a lounge or secondary bedroom above. Designed with bioclimatic principles, the structures feature large roof eaves for shade and rain protection, louvers for cross-ventilation, and are built from locally sourced bamboo, including Guadua and Phyllostachys Aurea, alongside sustainably harvested Cumaru timber flooring. The design offers post-pandemic travelers an immersive natural experience, reconnecting them with the environment through ocean views, coastal breezes, and starry nights from hammocks over the beach.

Bamboo Treehouses at Playa Viva / Atelier Nomadic

Atelier Nomadic, the design studio affiliated with Nomadic Resorts, has created a series of bamboo treehouses for Playa Viva, an eco-friendly resort committed to sustainability and regenerative practices. Positive impact forms the core of Playa Viva’s mission, operating completely off-grid and sourcing 100% of its energy from solar power. The resort actively collaborates with the local community to promote health and education while engaging in year-round efforts to restore and rejuvenate the surrounding environment. Playa Viva is a founding member of the Regenerative Travel organization and established, as well as continues to support, the La Tortuga Viva turtle sanctuary.

The latest addition to the resort features six bamboo treehouses, inspired by the flattened, prismatic forms of Mobula Rays that migrate along the property’s shore. Positioned along the Mexican coastline, these treehouses rest atop coconut palms with views of the surf. Each structure includes a master bedroom at the front and a rear annex housing a downstairs bathroom and an upstairs second bedroom or lounge.

The treehouses are designed using bioclimatic principles to harmonize with the natural environment. Large roof eaves function as umbrellas, offering shade from intense sunlight and protection against heavy rainfall, while façade louvers enable natural cross ventilation.

The structures are primarily constructed from locally sourced bamboo, one of the world’s fastest-growing renewable materials, demonstrating its versatility in various applications. Strong Guadua bamboo poles form the main framework and roof structure, while section strips are used for the façade louvers, and flattened bamboo panels shape the ceilings. For the annex building, Phyllostachys Aurea bamboo poles and dowels are utilized in the walls and façade panels. The flooring is crafted from sustainably harvested local Cumaru timber.

The holistic design aims to meet the anticipated post-COVID traveler’s preference for unique, health-focused accommodations integrated into the natural environment. After prolonged isolation and lockdowns, guests can immerse themselves in nature—listening to waves, basking in the warm hues of sunsets, feeling the breeze rustle through palm leaves, and savoring the salt air. From hammocks suspended above the beach, they can relax under the open sky and reconnect with the natural world.