Belgian artist Axel Vervoordt and Japanese architect Tatsuro Miki have created a monolithic art gallery on the Oaxacan coast in Mexico to showcase large sculptural works.
Called Meridiano, the gallery sits on the strip of coast north of Puerto Escondido near arts non-profit Fundación Casa Wabi's Tadao Andoe-designed residency and gallery.
Meridiano is a semi-enclosed gallery north of Puerto Escondido. Top and above photo by Biel Moreno
Meridiano is run by Axel Vervoordt's son, Boris Vervoord, and Kasmin Gallery president Nicholas Olney, and was designed to hold two large-scale exhibitions annually.
Axel Vervoordt came together with Miki to conceive of a trapezoidal form with walls rendered in locally hewn stone and divided internally by a wall that separates the whole into two sections, both with different openings to the sky. It is aligned in geometric accordance with the cardinal directions. It was designed to host works of large-scale sculpture. Photo by Sergio López
The proportions of the two primary interior spaces were based on "sacred geometry" according to the designers.
"The architecture is based on sacred geometry out of respect for Mexican traditions to create a space for art that looks like it's always existed in this unique place," said Vervoordt.
It has a trapezoidal form and walls made from locally quarried stone
The remote location led to a consideration of both a monastic element and the open sky.
A triangular room is left completely ...