Magueyes Meditation Retreat

Laseu Studio developed the master plan and architectural concept for a meditation retreat near Valle de Bravo, Mexico, designed as a serene sanctuary within a forested 20-acre site. Located in a natural clearing, the retreat was conceived as a collective space for mindfulness and relaxation, where guests gather around shared facilities yet experience nature individually on secluded forest trails and small pavilions.

The master plan organizes the meditation pavilion, spa, restaurant, lounge areas, and 20 guest rooms around a shallow reflective pool, a design inspired by the hortus conclusus—a symbolic enclosed garden representing peace, protection, and contemplation. The buildings follow a strict structural grid of concrete beams and columns, creating a clear and logical order that contrasts with the irregularity of the surrounding forest. Operable wood doors integrate into the regular façade system, allowing spaces to open or close to the outdoors, reinforcing the retreat’s meditative rhythm.

The architecture draws from local ranch vernacular, where pitched roof structures and exposed structural systems express a straightforward, utilitarian spirit. This approach is reinterpreted with a refined material palette: aged wood, river stone, limestone flooring, and plastered walls soften the experience, while cast concrete, corrugated roof sheets, and concrete pavers underscore its functional, ranch-like character.

Valle de Bravo, Mexico. 2020