Niop Hacienda: A Harmonious Blend of Old and New

Renovated Mexican Hacienda Transforms into a Boutique Hotel, Balancing Tradition and Modernity

The inspiration behind Niop Hacienda's renovation was the recent cultural shift towards preserving traditions and offering a glimpse into the past. The design team saw an opportunity to reinterpret the concept of a traditional Mexican hacienda through a new architectural language. The result is a series of subtle interventions that range from reordering the zoning of their uses to solving the intricate details of how the contemporary merges with the pre-existing elements.

The project's unique properties lie in its respectful and discreet insertion of new elements within the complex. Steel, stone, chukum, wood, and glass were chosen for the intervention, their purpose being to remind us that the protagonist in this case is not the loud architecture that demands attention, but the one that humbly allows its elders to gain recognition through dignified aging.

The design process involved a careful redesign of the building's use. The first step was to create a tour and a surprise effect, gradually revealing the space to the visitor. A concrete basement now links the buildings, and water mirrors celebrate the remaining walls of the buildings that refuse to disappear. This creates a dynamic dialogue between the previous use and the new to come.

The project faced the challenge of integrating the group of buildings previously occupied by livestock and textiles with the new spaces that a contemporary boutique hotel requires. The design team defined that the new program should include a restaurant, banquet rooms, support facilities, open spaces for holding various events, and villas for reflection and isolation.

Niop Hacienda's transformation is a testament to the power of architectural innovation and the importance of respecting history. The project, which was completed in 2014, has been recognized with the prestigious Golden A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2017. This award is granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom, advancing art, science, design, and technology.