YUM KAAX
Azulik Uh May Lighting Sculptures
Client | Azulik
Collaborator | Tara Sakhi
Location | Tulum, Mexico
Area | 2,000 sqm
Date of Completion | October 2019
Team | Tessa Sakhi, Tara Sakhi, Fernando Artigas, Ailen Barrio, Local Mayan Craftsmen and Artisans
Material | Bejucco, Macrame, Ceramic, Clay, Glass, Semi-Precious Stone, Resin
General Contractor | Azulik
Photos | Tessa Sakhi
In the lush jungle of Quintana Roo, Mexico, we collaborated with Roth Architects for Azulik to bring light to a world deeply rooted in nature and myth. "Yum Kaax" in the Mayan language means “Lord of the Wild”, referring to the Mayan god of wild vegetation and animals. This lighting design project was conceived to flow seamlessly with the organic architecture and surrounding environment.
Inspired by the raw beauty of the jungle and the spirit of the land, we created a series of luminous environments and design pieces for the museum, hotel, restaurant, and bar. Every design element was handcrafted by local Mayan
artisans using local materials such as bejuco, macrame, clay, and recycled glass. These forms, born from the jungle itself, echo the textures, movements, and soul of the wild.
Our approach embraced the organic, both in form and in process. Shapes emerged from nature, and materials told their own stories. The result is an immersive atmosphere where light becomes part of the landscape, guiding visitors through a sensory experience that feels both ancient and otherworldly.
This is lighting not as decoration, but as devotion to place, to craft, and to the sacred rhythm of the jungle.
