LEGORRETA

How would you define his architectural accomplishments for the two projects Solana and Camino Real Hotel, Extapa related to culture and climate?

The hotel is expressing a monumental statement as if it were a mountain, echoing the Mexican culture of the ruins.  The rooms that flow down to the beach and ocean are reminiscent of the steps on the pyramids. It is integrated it with the vegetation and some areas of the hotel have no air conditioning in order to sense the tropical surroundings.  The structure also incorporates walkways for guest to wonder around the landscape.

SOLANA

The settings for Solana and Camino Real Hotel are different; Solana has more of an urban aspect and a little bit intimidating. It looks like the site is flat and the buildings rise out of the surrounding so that the viewer does not have a clear understanding of where the buildings end and the landscape begins. He incorporates the uses of simple forms, brilliant colors and dramatic shadows. He uses vertical elements as directional entry. Even though he applies the colors and materials of the Mexican culture this project does not entirely relate to the climate or culture, I can see this building in a different climate and landscape.