Hotel Avándaro: A Landmark in Sustainable Hotel Architecture by Chain + Siman and modomanera

Reviving a Historic Destination Through Sustainable Hotel Architecture

Set in the lush landscape of Valle de Bravo, Hotel Avándaro has undergone a thoughtful transformation led by Mexican architecture firms Chain + Siman and modomanera. Originally built in 1958 and renovated again in the 1990s, this 2024 revitalization marks a new era that blends heritage with innovation. With 3,000 square meters of redesigned space, the project embraces sustainable hotel architecture while enhancing comfort, usability, and ecological responsibility.

The masterplan not only reorganizes circulation to accommodate modern guests, but also reinvigorates the site with new amenities including 81 suites, dining spaces, and a high-capacity convention center. Framed by mountains, forests, and lakes, the hotel’s architecture now exists in seamless conversation with its natural context, making it a destination that supports well-being, creativity, and community engagement.

Merging Landscape, Legacy, and Contemporary Comfort

Located just 90 minutes from Mexico City, Hotel Avándaro has long served as a favorite for corporate retreats and conventions. However, over time, overlapping uses by club members, hotel guests, and business visitors created confusion in the spatial experience. The new design clarifies these zones while preserving the hotel’s iconic identity.

Architects retained key elements from the original mid-century design by Francisco Artigas, such as the signature sloped roofs, while subtly adjusting their pitch to modern standards. Wooden beams were redesigned with a lighter, contemporary profile, striking a balance between homage and progression. Public spaces like the Josē Restaurant, the Deli, and Ego boutique were configured to flow effortlessly into outdoor terraces and forest-edge patios.

A Sustainable Strategy Rooted in Restoration and Local Materials

One of the most notable aspects of the renovation is its commitment to sustainability. Instead of demolishing outdated structures, the architects chose restoration—minimizing waste and preserving the embodied carbon of original materials. An old dividing wall was repurposed as structural material, a gesture that honors both resourcefulness and continuity.

The palette draws from the region’s natural tones, with wood, brick, and stone selected to blend into the mountain backdrop. Energy efficiency was prioritized through solar panels, adaptive lighting systems, and climate-responsive design strategies. A rainwater harvesting system further reduces the project’s ecological footprint, underscoring the architecture’s harmony with its environment.

Empowering the Local Economy Through Design

Beyond its environmental considerations, Hotel Avándaro also positions itself as a model for community-oriented development. The renovation employed local labor and sourced materials from nearby producers. This decision not only reduced transportation emissions but also provided economic stimulus to the region.

By reinvesting in the local economy and creating long-term employment in construction, hospitality, and design, the project enhances both the cultural and financial sustainability of Valle de Bravo. Hotel Avándaro becomes more than a place to stay—it becomes part of a living network of regional renewal.

A New Model for Sustainable Hotel Architecture in Mexico

Hotel Avándaro is a compelling example of how sustainable hotel architecture can integrate natural beauty, historical legacy, and community development. The work of Chain + Siman and modomanera transcends cosmetic renovation; it offers a layered architectural narrative where past and present intersect within a living ecosystem.

This project reflects the future of hospitality design: rooted in place, responsive to ecological limits, and supportive of cultural continuity. Through this lens, Hotel Avándaro emerges as a vital destination—not just for leisure and business, but for rethinking how architecture can harmonize with both nature and society.

All the photographs are works of Rafael Gamo