Casa Ballena / RIMA Design Group

Architects: RIMA Design Group
Area: 6996 ft²
Year: 2019
Photographs: Rafael Gamo, Rory Gardiner
Design team: Gerry Rivero, Maritere Rivero, Antonio Gil
Construction Team: Noé Cante, Xitlalli Ceseña, Carlos Espino, Pedro Ricardez, Jorge Montaño
Engineering: Grupo SAI
Design Partnership: Francisco L. Guerr
City: San José del Cabo
Country: Mexico

Casa Ballena, an arts center by RIMA Design Group in Los Cabos, Mexico, consists of rammed-earth structures connected by wood pergolas. Created for a Mexican artist, the center includes studios, workshops, exhibition spaces, patios, and a warehouse. Rammed earth was chosen for its microclimate control and soundproofing, blending with the landscape. The design follows the site’s incline, with paths and native plants creating private patios. South-facing living areas offer views of Puerto Los Cabos marina, while natural light and a rooftop garden enhance the gallery. Separate workshops are oriented north to south for consistent lighting, and the warehouse includes a garage and switchyard for transporting supplies.

The Mexican architecture firm RIMA Design Group connected multiple rammed-earth structures with wooden pergolas to create an arts center in Los Cabos, Mexico.

Casa Ballena was designed for a Mexican artist aiming to establish studios and residences for both local and international artists in San Jose del Cabo, located at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula.

The complex includes three workshops, an exhibition space, multi-use patios, dining and living halls, and a warehouse. Each building is made from rammed earth, closely matching the color of the surrounding landscape. The local studio selected this material for its ability to create microclimates that contrast with the external environment and for its soundproofing properties.

RIMA Design Group designed Casa Ballena to follow the site’s natural incline, varying the heights of the rectangular volumes accordingly. Gravel patios and winding stone pathways connect the units, forming distinct patio areas decorated with native vegetation, including wild grasses and cacti. The studio’s approach leverages excavation and earthmoving to use the topography as a natural buffer, allowing for controlled views and creating a private, inward-focused experience for occupants. It highlighted the project’s essential connection to nature, with buildings positioned to blend into the terrain, creating an internal experience that offers privacy for artists across the patios. Staggered windows span the tan-colored buildings, each outlined by a thin concrete border. Concrete pathways and patios throughout the property are shaded by a series of pergolas with stick roofs, adding structure and shade to the outdoor spaces.

The living quarters, bathroom, kitchen, and administrative areas are oriented southward, offering views of the Puerto Los Cabos marina. In the white gallery, natural light filters through ceiling openings, brightening the space and enhancing the display of art pieces. Three plant beds, arranged in a row on the roof, create a rooftop garden for added greenery.

The warehouse building spans two levels, with a parking garage on one level and a switchyard for transporting art and supplies to and from the workshops. Each of the three workshops occupies a separate structure, providing dedicated spaces for artists working in various mediums, including print, typography, and paint.

A private studio for the main artist is located within the same building as the paint workshop. Like the gallery, the workshops are oriented north to south, allowing artists to create their pieces under the same lighting conditions as in the exhibition space.