CHOCO HIVE: A New Paradigm in Sustainable Resort Architecture

Choco Hive is a sustainable resort architecture project envisioned by Mervenaz Erkan and Deniz Can Çoban, celebrating the generosity and solidarity rooted in Maya culture. The project, a Shortlisted Entry of Xocolatl, integrates cultural authenticity, ecological design, and community participation within a landscape dedicated to cocoa — the sacred bean of Mesoamerica.

The resort features hotel and villa units where guests can stay free of charge by volunteering to help harvest cocoa. Beyond accommodation, Choco Hive offers a deeper cultural journey — visitors learn about the entire cocoa production process through museums, workshops, and exhibitions. This immersive experience highlights the mythological and economic importance of cocoa in Maya civilization, transforming tourism into education and advocacy.

Design Concept: Continuity of Traces Inspired by Maya Architecture

Drawing inspiration from the Maya architectural philosophy of cyclical construction, Choco Hive interprets the ancient idea of durable foundations and temporary upper structures in a modern, sustainable framework. Traditional Maya buildings used lasting stone bases that supported evolving wooden or adobe forms — a system that embraced impermanence while preserving continuity.

Reimagining this concept, Choco Hive employs hexagonal modules that act as spatial traces. These modular geometries spread across the site, forming a pattern that endures through future transformations. Each module can evolve, adapt, or regenerate, echoing the Maya belief that architecture is a living system rather than a static monument.

This cyclical and modular design becomes both a physical and philosophical foundation — a contemporary reinterpretation of Maya sustainable architecture that bridges ancient wisdom and modern ecological thinking.

Materiality and Form: A Modular Ecosystem of Wood and Light

At the heart of Choco Hive’s design lies the hexagonal wooden pergola system, which provides aesthetic harmony and structural resilience. The system’s interlocking form creates a rhythmic visual language that enhances both spatial function and environmental performance.

The use of lightweight, low-impact materials ensures that structures can be easily assembled, adapted, or recycled — a crucial step toward carbon-conscious building practices. These pergolas not only define gathering and shading zones but also serve as symbols of connection — between guests, nature, and the cultural memory of the Maya people.

Cultural Integration: Cocoa as Community and Consciousness

Choco Hive is more than an architectural composition; it is a social catalyst that promotes ethical awareness about cocoa farming and fair labor. The project invites guests to engage directly with local communities, turning leisure into participation. Visitors not only relax amid the plantations but also contribute to a sustainable cycle of production and education, fostering mutual respect between host and visitor.

The architectural layout, reminiscent of a Maya courtyard, creates spaces for gathering, storytelling, and reflection — emphasizing community over consumption. By merging architecture, agriculture, and anthropology, Choco Hive positions itself as a living classroom of sustainable design.

Environmental Vision: Architecture for Regeneration

Choco Hive exemplifies how sustainable resort architecture can function as a regenerative system. Its site planning maximizes natural ventilation, daylighting, and rainwater collection, while its modular grid supports both human and ecological habitats. The design not only minimizes impact but actively restores the landscape through shaded courtyards, pervious pathways, and biodiversity-friendly planting.

The cyclical concept of “leaving traces” is extended to environmental stewardship — ensuring that each architectural intervention contributes positively to the site’s ecological health.

The Future of Hospitality through Heritage and Harmony

By blending the ancient wisdom of the Maya with contemporary design thinking, Choco Hive offers a visionary model for sustainable resort architecture. It demonstrates how hospitality spaces can cultivate awareness, empower communities, and nurture the planet — not as passive retreats, but as living ecosystems rooted in cultural and environmental continuity.

Choco Hive is not merely a resort; it is a philosophy in built form, a hive of collaboration, and a testament to architecture’s power to heal, connect, and sustain.

Project Credits

Project: Choco Hive Designers: Mervenaz Erkan & Deniz Can Çoban

Competition: Shortlisted Entry – Xocolatl

Theme: Sustainable Resort Architecture inspired by Maya Culture