Sitting in the heart of a forest in the beach town of Tulum Mexico, the Luum Temple serves as not just a tranquil spot to meditate and connect with nature, but also as an indication of more sustainable forms of architecture. Amidst Tulum’s rapidly-growing unchecked architectural development, the Luum is an eco-friendly bamboo structure located in a conserved area in a native jungle, within a conservation-minded residential development called Luum Zama.

The temple’s design is highly influenced by parametric architecture, and features five catenary arches made from Bamboo. Designed by CO-LAB Design Office, the temple’s design uses bamboo sustainably grown in the neighboring Chiapas state. Flat sections of bamboo were bent and cold-molded on site, before being shaped into the 5 catenary arches. For structural stability, the designers wove together multiple bamboo beams into a triangular mesh, with a dual-layered woven bamboo lattice on top for further cover. Sitting atop the grand bamboo structure is a canopy of local zacate, or straw thatch, giving the structure protection from heat and even rain.

“Luum Temple is a show case for sustainable development, it combines innovative design and engineering with artisanal building and organic sustainable materials,” explain the architects. “The arched vaults support each other, co-existing in structural dependency, serving as a reminder to the community of our interdependence and the accomplishments we can achieve when we work together.” The Luum Temple, accessible only on foot, will be used as a center for wellness, meditation, tranquility, and for organizing healing programs, yoga workshops, and other community gatherings.

Designer: CO-LAB Design Office