Location | Cancun, Mexico
Period | 2018
Client | Terraquia
Collaboration | G44studio
Size | 138.000 m²
Status | Ongoing

Terraquia means "land and water" and is a residential area under construction, located near Cancun International Airport. The 28-hectare development is planned as a green and traffic-safe neighborhood, where pleasant living and working is paramount. In its midst, a 32,000 m2 nature reserve is included, serving as a special meeting place for sports, culture and recreation. Within the assignment, we developed the master plan for the infrastructure, two residential zones and the central park.

The infrastructure consists of a ring road with three secured entrances. To make space trees were taken away, yet the indigenous vegetation was replanted elsewhere. The ring road is designed for car traffic and slow traffic (cyclists and pedestrians), with climate-resistant vegetation on both sides and trees as living air conditioners. The rain gardens filter and temporarily store rainwater before percolating via the ground to recharge aquifers. For the footprint of the road, clever thought has been given to sustainable paving, whereby excavated materials such as rocks and stone are reused for ornamental paving and soil foundation.

The residential zones consist of lots with sizes varying from 170 to +300 m2. Each zone is enclosed by a designed prefab wall and secure entrance. The gated communities are owned by different clients, therefore a unique landscape plan has been designed for each area.