HUB Regenerative Construction Laboratory

Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Project Story

My name is Javier Yanez, and HUB began as a personal search for a different way of building and living.

After years working as a carpenter, furniture maker, and fabricator, I became fascinated by geometry, nature, and the possibility of creating structures that are more adaptable, resource-efficient, and connected to the people who inhabit them. What started as sketches and experiments evolved into years of hands-on research, design, and construction.

Over the last several years, I have been developing HUB, an experimental construction system designed to make the creation of resilient, nature-inspired structures more accessible. The system has already been tested through the construction of full-scale prototypes, including elliptical geodesic domes, curved organic roof structures, and modular construction systems.

Today, I am collaborating with Ciudad de Luz 13.20 in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo. The next phase of HUB is the creation of a regenerative construction laboratory that will serve as a place to develop, demonstrate, and teach ecological building systems while welcoming visitors interested in regeneration, community building, and sustainable living.

The long-term vision is not simply to construct buildings, but to develop regenerative infrastructure that can be adapted and replicated by communities seeking more resilient, climate-responsive, and culturally rooted ways of living.

Background & Problem Statement

Across many tropical regions, housing and community infrastructure are increasingly built using standardized methods that often perform poorly in local climates. Homes can become excessively hot, humid, and dependent on mechanical cooling, while construction materials and techniques are frequently disconnected from local environmental conditions.

At the same time, valuable building knowledge adapted to local ecosystems is gradually disappearing. Traditional architecture evolved over generations in response to climate, available materials, and community needs, yet many contemporary developments replace these approaches with imported models that often lack a strong connection to place.

This creates both an environmental and cultural challenge: how can communities preserve their identity while continuing to innovate and improve the quality of their living spaces?

Our Solution

HUB explores a bridge between traditional wisdom and contemporary design.

The project develops modular construction systems, organic geometries, and climate-responsive structures that prioritize natural ventilation, thermal comfort, adaptability, and efficient use of resources.

The proposed construction laboratory will function as a living demonstration site where ecological building methods can be developed, tested, documented, and shared. Builders, students, artisans, designers, and community members will be able to participate directly in the creation of real structures while learning practical skills.

Rather than focusing on a single building, HUB seeks to create a platform for developing and sharing construction knowledge that can support future housing, educational facilities, community gathering spaces, ecological tourism projects, and regenerative settlements.

What We Mean by Living Spaces

We envision living spaces that:

Work with the climate rather than against it.
Encourage natural airflow, shade, and thermal comfort.
Support community interaction and collective learning.
Can be adapted to local materials and local knowledge.
Strengthen a sense of place and cultural identity.
Serve as platforms for education, creativity, and stewardship.
Foster meaningful relationships between people, nature, and community.

Our goal is not simply to construct buildings, but to create environments where people can thrive together.

Community Impact

The construction laboratory is being developed in collaboration with Ciudad de Luz 13.20, a community initiative in Felipe Carrillo Puerto with connections to local Maya communities and cultural projects in the region.

The laboratory will serve as a welcoming space for visitors, volunteers, builders, and learners interested in regenerative development. Through workshops, collaborative construction projects, and knowledge exchange, the project seeks to strengthen local capacity while creating opportunities for participation, skill development, and community-led innovation.

By empowering people to actively participate in shaping their built environment, HUB aims to contribute to stronger, more resilient communities.

Scalability & Knowledge Sharing

While the project begins locally, its purpose extends beyond a single site.

One of HUB's primary goals is to document, refine, and openly share the knowledge generated through the development of its construction systems. By creating adaptable and replicable methodologies, the project seeks to support other communities facing challenges related to housing, infrastructure, climate adaptation, and sustainable development.

The vision is to contribute to a growing global network of regenerative initiatives by providing practical tools, knowledge, and examples that others can learn from and adapt to their own cultural and environmental contexts.

How We Regenerate

HUB contributes to regeneration through:

Ecological and climate-responsive construction.
Community participation and collaborative building.
Preservation and evolution of locally adapted building knowledge.
Open-source sharing of construction methods and design principles.
Education, skill-sharing, and hands-on learning.
Development of resilient infrastructure for future communities.
Strengthening connections between people, culture, and place.

Why Now?

Communities around the world are facing growing challenges related to climate resilience, housing affordability, ecological degradation, and social fragmentation.

There is an increasing need for infrastructure that is affordable, adaptable, environmentally responsible, and rooted in local culture and ecology.

HUB seeks to respond to this moment by developing practical building systems and learning environments that help communities become active creators of their own regenerative future.

Our Experience

HUB is the result of years of independent research, design, and hands-on construction.

The project has already produced multiple built prototypes, including elliptical domes, curved roof systems, and modular structural experiments. These structures demonstrate the feasibility of the system and provide a foundation for continued development.

My background as a carpenter, furniture maker, and fabricator has provided the practical experience necessary to move from concepts and drawings to real-world construction. The proposed laboratory represents the next step in transforming individual experimentation into a collaborative platform for learning, innovation, and regenerative development.

Funding Goals

Funding will support the establishment of the HUB Construction Laboratory, including prototype development, educational activities, documentation, community engagement, and the creation of spaces that can host visitors, collaborators, and future participants.

By supporting this project, funders are helping create not only a physical place, but also a platform for developing and sharing regenerative infrastructure solutions that can benefit communities far beyond the project site itself.