Mandarina - A One & Only Resort

office: studio rick joy

type: hospitality

location: riviera nayarit, mexico

Mandarina by One & Only is a luxury resort and residential community set upon a rare stretch of undeveloped coastline in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico. As one of country’s last remaining tropical, beachfront jungles, this fascinating destination boasts a swimmable white-sand beach, mountain peaks, and lush flatlands and estuaries. Architecturally, careful consideration was made to cultivate a sense of place by embracing traditional building methods and materials, collaborating with local artistans and craftspeople, and capturing the beauty of the natural environment with thoughtful design.

The Arrival Pavilion

The Arrival Pavilion is the gateway into Mandarina and provides guests with their first taste of the luxurious lifestyle, lush jungle environment, and refined design that awaits.  By combining raw local stone, traditional wood building methods, and contemporary furniture pieces, the Arrival Pavilion elegantly bridges the gap between the lush jungle wilderness and the comforts of refined luxurious living.

Responsibilities: I was the lead designer for the Arrival Pavilion and worked closely with a small team to develop the building from schematic design to construction drawings.

Majahua Beach Club & Jetty

Majahua Beach Club is a dining and lounging destination nestled along a sandy and secluded cove in the heart of Mandarina.  Incorporating a multi-level design, the beach club steps down in six different and unique levels: A rooftop lounge with commanding ocean views above, a covered dining terrace with outdoor prep-kitchen below, a wide poolside lounge with bali beds beneath, and two tiers of stepped pools and a shade platform that cascade down towards the beach.  Each unique level is tied together with a wide, continuous stair that follows the contours of the steep ocean-side landscape.

Responsibilities: I was the lead designer for the Majahua Beach Club and worked closely with a small team to develop the building from schematic design to construction drawings.

Carao Restaurant

Perched along a narrow mountain ridge, the Carao restaurant commands one of Mandarina’s most outstanding ocean view experiences.  Here, guests are transported above the jungle canopy where they can absorb incredible panoramic views while lounging poolside, enjoying a cocktail at the bar, or dining inside amongst friends.  

Responsibilities: I developed and modelled the beautifully exposed interior wooden structure and assisted with the design of the exterior lounge and pool areas.