The Cocoon
How can a seaside’s natural geometries shape a beachfront retreat?
The Cocoon—a collection of homes and beach-front community spaces on a remote island in Southeast Asia—takes inspiration from the organic forms of shells and palm fronds to create elevated environments that feel rooted in their place. Designed with modular components and guided by parametric design, the retreat optimizes form and function while minimizing environmental impact. This approach fosters regenerative health for both residents and the coastal ecosystem.
The retreat includes five zones: beach-side villas, a restaurant and pool club, a beach club and botanical garden, a spa and wedding pavilion, and the Boulevard—a communal street lined with cafes and lounges. The design of the structures in each of these zones draws from the materials and natural geometries of the seaside surroundings and organizes them through distributive networks of spaces and pathways that harmonize with the rhythms of land and sea.
Location
Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia
Research Areas Regenerative Health
Typology Hospitality
Size
Large
424,905 sq.ft.
Status Complete
Project Team Carlos ArnaizAlden ChingIgnacio RevengaMaria Gracia ArandaLaura del PinoCanqi Mu
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Building with the land
The pod-like villas are carefully attuned to the landscape and geography, fostering a deep sense of connection with the surroundings. Large doorways formed when their thatched cladding peels away from the structure blend interior and exterior space. Systems of arches aligned with the ocean’s prevailing winds provide natural ventilation, conserving energy, while locally-crafted bamboo screen walls diffuse the bright tropical light evenly across the homes—embodying principles of metabolic architecture that balance natural flows with human habitation.
