Casa Ballena Art Center

Casa Ballena Art Center
© Rafael Gamo

CASA BALLENA ART CENTER

Rima Design Group

LEAD ARCHITECT
Rima Arquitectura

DESIGN TEAM
Gerry Rivero, Maritere Rivero, Antonio Gil

LANDSCAPE
Rima Arquitectura

ENGINEERING
Grupo Sai

COLLABORATORS
Francisco L. Guerra

CONSTRUCTION TEAM
Noé Cante, Xitlalli Ceseña, Carlos Espino, Pedro Ricardez, Jorge Montaño

MANUFACTURERS
Autodesk, Blanco, Kohler, Sherwin-williams, Construlita, Delta, Emi, Fester, Ge, Helvex, Losas Novidesa, Magg, Materiales Nativos, Proline, Tarengo, Tech Dry, Teka, Trimble Navigation, Ventor, Whirpool

AREA
6996 ft²

YEAR
2019

LOCATION
San José Del Cabo, Mexico

CATEGORIES
Hospitality Architecture

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
© Rafael Gamo
Casa Ballena Art Center
© 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.

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
© Rafael Gamo
Casa Ballena Art Center
© 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.

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.

Casa Ballena Art Center
© Rory Gardiner
Casa Ballena Art Center
© Rory Gardiner

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.

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
© Rafael Gamo
Casa Ballena Art Center
© Rory Gardiner

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.

Casa Ballena Art Center
© Rory Gardiner
Casa Ballena Art Center
© Rory Gardiner

As for the print workshop, has controlled light openings according to the functions performed in this workshop.

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.

Casa Ballena Art Center
© Rafael Gamo
Casa Ballena Art Center
© Rafael Gamo

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
© Rory Gardiner
Casa Ballena Art Center
© Rory Gardiner

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
© Rory Gardiner


Casa Ballena Art Center
© Rafael Gamo
Casa Ballena Art Center
© Rory Gardiner
Casa Ballena Art Center
© Rafael Gamo
Casa Ballena Art Center
© Rafael Gamo
Casa Ballena Art Center
© Rafael Gamo
Casa Ballena Art Center
© Rory Gardiner
Casa Ballena Art Center
© Rafael Gamo
Casa Ballena Art Center
© Rafael Gamo

Casa Ballena Art Center
© Rory Gardiner
Casa Ballena Art Center
© Rory Gardiner
Casa Ballena Art Center
© Rory Gardiner
Casa Ballena Art Center
© Rafael Gamo

Casa Ballena Art Center
© Rory Gardiner


Casa Ballena Art Center
Site plan
Casa Ballena Art Center
-1 floor plan
Casa Ballena Art Center
Ground floor plan
Casa Ballena Art Center
Roof plan


Casa Ballena Art Center
Section 01
Casa Ballena Art Center
Section 02
Casa Ballena Art Center
Section 03
Casa Ballena Art Center
Section 04


Casa Ballena Art Center
Elevations 01
Casa Ballena Art Center
Elevations 02
Casa Ballena Art Center
Detail