--- title: NH Cancún Aeropuerto | Duarte Aznar Arquitectos description: Explore the unique design of the AVANI Cancun Airport Hotel, inspired by Yucatan's limestone and marine motifs, offering a distinct identity and inviting connection with nature. --- - [Home](https://www.duarteaznar.com/en/) - [Projects](https://www.duarteaznar.com/en/projects) - About us - [Who we are](https://www.duarteaznar.com/en/who-we-are) - [Curriculum](https://www.duarteaznar.com/en/curriculum) [![Brand](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/Brand.svg "Brand")](https://www.duarteaznar.com/) [![Brand](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/Brand.svg "Brand")](https://www.duarteaznar.com/) EN - [ES](https://www.duarteaznar.com/proyectos/nh-cancun-aeropuerto) [Contact us](https://www.duarteaznar.com/en/contact-us) [Contact us](https://www.duarteaznar.com/en/contact-us) - [Home](https://www.duarteaznar.com/en/) - [Projects](https://www.duarteaznar.com/en/projects) - About us - [Who we are](https://www.duarteaznar.com/en/who-we-are) - [Curriculum](https://www.duarteaznar.com/en/curriculum) DUARTE AZNAR ARQUITECTOS # NH Cancún Aeropuerto A reef on the mainland [Learn more](https://www.duarteaznar.com/en/projects/nh-cancun-aeropuerto#detalles) ![DAA-icono](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DAA-icono.png?width=20&height=20&name=DAA-icono.png)GALLERY ![separador](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/sitio-web/separador.svg "separador") ![](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/sitio-web/nhcancunaeropuerto/01.jpg) ![](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/sitio-web/nhcancunaeropuerto/02.1.jpg) ![](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/sitio-web/nhcancunaeropuerto/02.jpg) ![](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/sitio-web/nhcancunaeropuerto/03.1.jpg) ![](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/sitio-web/nhcancunaeropuerto/03.jpg) ![](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/sitio-web/nhcancunaeropuerto/04.jpg) ![](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/sitio-web/nhcancunaeropuerto/05.jpg) ![](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/sitio-web/nhcancunaeropuerto/06.jpg) ![](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/sitio-web/nhcancunaeropuerto/07.jpg) ![](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/sitio-web/nhcancunaeropuerto/08.jpg) ![](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/sitio-web/nhcancunaeropuerto/09.jpg) ![](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/sitio-web/nhcancunaeropuerto/10.jpg) ![](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/sitio-web/nhcancunaeropuerto/11.jpg) ![DAA-icono](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DAA-icono.png?width=20&height=20&name=DAA-icono.png)PROJECT OVERVIEW ![separador](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/sitio-web/separador.svg "separador") ## How do you bring the essence of the Caribbean Sea to the asphalt? A few minutes from the airport, the land seemed like just another passpoint in Cancun’s geography. But the vision was different: to translate the calm, light, and movement of the water into shapes, colors, and materials that would welcome travelers with a sense of Caribbean comfort. Thus was born the idea for the NH Cancun Airport—now AVANI—a fragment of coastline, designed so that even a layover stay would leave guests with memories of the sea. The project combines the efficiency and order of a business hotel with the warmth, color, and life that pulse along these coasts. **Client** NH Hoteles   **Project type** Tourism & Hospitality   **Location** Cancún, Quintana Roo, México   **Built area** 8,556   **Year(s)** 2018-2020 Awards & Publications - Honorable Mention at the XIII Yucatecan Architecture Biennial, 2021. Publications - ColorLife Trends 2021 Compendium. Comex. 2021. - Podio Magazine. May 2020.   Participants Enrique Duarte Aznar José Luis Estudillo Robleda Eduardo Gómez Arana Hervé Jiménez Meza Luis González Coyoc   Collaborators Lighting, Electrical: ILURGIA Plumbing, Sanitation, Irrigation, Rainwater Drainage, and Fire Protection: SAVC Air Conditioning: Tecnoterma Landscaping: Tania Domínguez Interior Design in Public Areas: AJ Arte Mobiliario BIM Consulting: BIMTEGRA Photography: Tamara Uribe ![DAA-icono](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DAA-icono.png?width=20&height=20&name=DAA-icono.png)THE CHALLENGE ![separador](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/sitio-web/separador.svg "separador") ## A piece of coastline for the passing traveler The project's location—strategic yet lacking apparent charm—posed a challenge: to design a business hotel capable of meeting international functionality and efficiency standards, while simultaneously conveying the lively and vibrant identity of the Caribbean. ¿How could a stopover be turned into a destination in itself? On the other hand, the project had to integrate a demanding architectural program into rocky terrain with geological limitations, complying with brand guidelines and maximizing thermal comfort in an extreme climate. Furthermore, it was crucial to incorporate a large technical volume for air conditioning and water treatment equipment without compromising the aesthetics or the guest experience. ![DAA-icono](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DAA-icono.png?width=20&height=20&name=DAA-icono.png)THE CONCEPT ![separador](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/sitio-web/separador.svg "separador") ## The reef as inspiration: Architecture as a translation of landscape The reef is an ecosystem that welcomes, protects, and nourishes life in constant motion. The design took this principle as a metaphor: a space that welcomes those passing through, offers them rest and connection, and propels them toward their next destination.   The palette of materials, patterns, and arrangement of natural light evoke the texture and rhythm of the sea with a biomimetic design; drawing inspiration from nature was not just a decorative gesture, but a functional response. The structure and skin of the building interact with the sun, wind, and environment, while its functionality aligns to a brand with high standards of quality and comfort. - ![vida-subacuatica](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sitio-web/cuadernos-de-obra/vida-subacuatica.webp?width=1300&height=867&name=vida-subacuatica.webp) - ![peces-nadando-en-el-fondo-del-mar](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sitio-web/cuadernos-de-obra/peces-nadando-en-el-fondo-del-mar.webp?width=1300&height=988&name=peces-nadando-en-el-fondo-del-mar.webp) - ![planta-submarina](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sitio-web/cuadernos-de-obra/planta-submarina.webp?width=1400&height=933&name=planta-submarina.webp) ![DAA-icono](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DAA-icono.png?width=20&height=20&name=DAA-icono.png)THE PROCESS ![separador](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/sitio-web/separador.svg "separador") ## From Vision to Detail The architectural development required integrating branding corporate criteria with a humanistic and contextual approach. Every transition —from the exterior to the lobby, from common areas to the guest rooms— was meticulously crafted so that travelers would feel a subtle yet profound shift: moving from the accelerated pace of the highway to the calm of a Caribbean refuge.   The facade, inspired by biomimetic architecture, evokes marine corals through a reticular pattern of voids and solid elements that regulates light and temperature. This interplay of light and shadow becomes a changing spectacle throughout the day, reminding guests that they are in a unique place.   Finally, for technical execution, we opted for a semi-basement to reduce the visual impact of parking lots and utility rooms. This simultaneously served to elevate the lobby, granting it prominence and hierarchy in the midst of the urban landscape. ![NH CUN _ BLOG 1](https://50079176.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/50079176/hubfs/NH%20CUN%20_%20BLOG%201.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=NH%20CUN%20_%20BLOG%201.jpg) ![NH CUN _ BLOG 2](https://50079176.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/50079176/hubfs/NH%20CUN%20_%20BLOG%202.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=NH%20CUN%20_%20BLOG%202.jpg) ![11](https://50079176.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/50079176/hubfs/sitio-web/nhcancunaeropuerto/11.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=11.jpg) ![09](https://50079176.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/50079176/hubfs/sitio-web/nhcancunaeropuerto/09.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=09.jpg) ![DAA-icono](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DAA-icono.png?width=20&height=20&name=DAA-icono.png)THE RESULT ![separador](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/sitio-web/separador.svg "separador") ## A space to remember The NH Cancun Airport (now AVANI) is a hotel that runs with the precision of clockwork, but feels as gentle as a sea breeze.  It is a space where efficiency does not exclude beauty, and where the identity of a place is manifested in every texture, light, and perspective. The hotel is not only highly efficient, but also conveys a sense of belonging, connecting each guest to the Caribbean from the comfort of their own room. ![NH CUN _ BLOG 3](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/sitio-web/nhcancunaeropuerto/NH%20CUN%20_%20BLOG%203.jpg "NH CUN _ BLOG 3") ![DAA-icono](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DAA-icono.png?width=20&height=20&name=DAA-icono.png)LEGACY AND LEARNING ![separador](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/sitio-web/separador.svg "separador") ## Biomimetic Architecture for Caribbean Hotels More than just a functional building, this project redefines what an airport hotel in the Caribbean can be. For guests, it represents a memorable stop along the way; for the brand, an asset that combines global high standards with a modern touch of local identity; for us, it was one of the firm's first projects to implement BIM methodology, which allowed us to coordinate architecture and engineering in a single three-dimensional model.    Bringing the sea to dry land does not mean imitating it, but rather translating its essence. This hotel borrows the calm of the horizon, the rhythm of the waves, and the freshness of the wind to integrate them into functional and contemporary spaces, confirming that biomimicry is a powerful tool for designing lasting projects with identity.   Just minutes from the airport, the project transforms a strategic location into a memorable experience: an urban oasis where high efficiency, a solid corporate identity, and Caribbean aesthetics coexist in perfect balance. ![6](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/sitio-web/nhcancunaeropuerto/06.jpg "6") ## Let's talk about your next project At Duarte Aznar, we believe that every memorable space begins with an idea.  If you are looking for a design that dialogues with its context and resonates with those who inhabit it, contact us. This could be the beginning of a great success story [Contact the firm](https://www.duarteaznar.com/contacto) [![Brand](https://www.duarteaznar.com/hubfs/Brand.svg "Brand")](https://www.duarteaznar.com/) Spaces that transcend. 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