The Story of Ikal Bio-Architecture
We believe that building a space is building a dream. Our dream is to live as one with nature itself, to give life to each branch, to weave with roots, to build with what the earth gives us. By using bio-architecture systems, we built a space to cohabitate with nature, by combining ancestral design elements and processes with our contemporary vision. A space that makes architecture earthly, harmonious, and that takes into account the natural resources of the land as well as ancestral knowledge.
Brothers Luis and Ricardo Gil Architects
Ikal was born from the earth and took shape with the wind. It is a space where there is no observer or judgement, only shared dreams and visions. It is fresh new ground, an awakening, a call from the ancestors, an infinite space which breeds magic and mystery. Ikal was born from this. It is the condensation of the spirit manifesting itself through sheer beauty. It is flesh and bones, waves and sea, earth and sand. Between thick foliage and deep roots sprout beautiful living spaces to bathe in the magic of the Mayan Jungle.
The first days of Ikal had a childlike purity, rocked by the waves and lulled by birdsong, cradled by the ancestral memories imprinted on our grounds. Through the colours of its sunrises and the warmth of its fire on starry nights, it taught and we listened. This is how we named it, with one sole intention … This intention was to create a sanctuary. A space to live in harmony, to listen to the elements, listen to each-other, and most importantly listen to ourselves. To bow to the earth and gain a new perspective on how to grow from her, not against her.
We wanted to create a holy space, inspired by the Mayan Pyramids and Temples, by ancestral interpretations of animals, and by the structure of natural elements. A space that merges nature, it's inevitable impermanence, and architecture. A space inspired by the sound of the wind, the shapes of leaves, sunrises and the night sky. We made our dream come true, and we are so grateful to now be able to share it with you!