Ganadería Santillán: Equestrian Design in Harmony with Nature

Designing Rural Spaces Integrated with Nature

Some farms are located in rural areas rich in natural and cultural heritage, such as those in the Mexican region of Bajío, where pastoral traditions have spanned generations. These areas are often characterized by expansive and picturesque landscapes, reminiscent of historical artworks that documented rural scenes in intricate detail. For more examples of rural architectural projects, see our archive.

Integrating Buildings with the Terrain

When designing spaces related to equestrian or pastoral activities, the concept of integration with the surrounding environment emerges as a key element. Instead of imposing new buildings on the land, projects are ideally conceived as a natural extension of the terrain and surrounding views, maintaining seamless flow between structures and open spaces.

Practical Functions of the Spaces

These projects typically include the design of arenas dedicated to auctions or horse-related events, along with areas for equestrian training. The focus here is on providing a functional environment that accommodates daily activities without negatively impacting the natural landscape or the heritage character of the region.

Two dark horses walking along a cobblestone path next to a rustic stone wall shaded by large trees. — Dedicated paths for horses ensure safe and organized movement between the stables and the main arena. (Image © Cesar Béjar)

Perspective view of a rustic stone corridor at Ganadería Santillán with a narrow entrance and overhanging tree branches. — Architecture that feels like “contemporary ruins,” providing a timeless backdrop for daily ranch activities. (Image © Cesar Béjar)

A rustic stone courtyard with a small water fountain and a large tree growing over the wall. — Small fountains in semi-sunken courtyards create an atmosphere of freshness and tranquility. (Image © Cesar Béjar)

Utilizing Natural Terrain in Design

The choice of location reflects the importance of understanding natural terrain when designing open spaces. In some projects, existing slopes can be leveraged to partially integrate sections of arenas or paddocks into the ground, reducing the need for major terrain modifications and enhancing harmony with the surrounding environment. Learn more about building materials suitable for such projects.

Integrating Arenas with the Surroundings

The remaining areas of the space can be designed with gentle slopes extending over the surrounding meadows. This approach allows for a seamless visual integration between projects or arenas and the natural landscape, reinforcing the sense that the project is part of the environment rather than a separate element.

Direct overhead aerial view of the ranch’s circular arena and organized livestock pens next to a pond. — The spatial organization ensures a seamless flow between different functional zones like the main ring and secondary pens. (Image © Cesar Béjar)

Aerial top-down view of a circular horse arena with a trainer leading a horse on the sand. — The circular arena’s geometry is designed to facilitate equestrian training while maintaining a minimal footprint on the land. (Image © Cesar Béjar)

Circulation Paths and Integration with Nature

Access to open spaces is carefully organized to enhance the visitor experience. In some designs, a gently sloping staircase following the curves of the arena can create a natural flow of movement that harmonizes with the terrain. A short tunnel may also be incorporated to protect important natural elements, such as ancient trees, balancing practical use with environmental preservation.

Courtyard and Multi-Functional Gathering Areas

At the end of this pathway, a semi-sunken courtyard can be designed under the shade of trees, featuring simple elements such as a small fountain to provide moments of relaxation and refreshment. This courtyard can also connect to the main platforms for managing activities, such as the platform designated for auctions, while offering consistent views of the arena and the broader natural landscape, including prominent terrain features or notable rocks in the area.

Functional Layout of Surrounding Spaces

Side areas are typically designed to accommodate specific activities, such as temporary storage docks or equipment preparation zones, including a small wine cellar or access to the main arenas. This organization ensures smooth movement between various functions and enhances the integration of human activity with the surrounding nature.

Architectural site plan showing the circular arena, pens, and movement corridors following terrain contours. — Technical site plan illustrating the integration of functional rings and corridors with the natural topography.

Organizing Secondary Arenas for Safe Movement

In addition to the main arena, secondary spaces can be designed to facilitate the movement of animals and related activities. These secondary arenas typically feature separate entrances with organized access steps, ensuring smooth and safe movement of livestock during events.

Consistency with the Overall Design

These secondary arenas are shaped to align with the curvature of the surrounding wall, making it easier to navigate between different spaces and enhancing the flow within the site. This strategy focuses not only on practical functions but also on maintaining a visually cohesive experience that harmonizes with the surrounding environment. For more related architecture insights, visit our section.

View through leafy tree branches of a stone arena wall during a hazy sunset. — Integrating the built environment with existing vegetation preserves the site’s heritage and provides natural shade. (Image © Cesar Béjar)

Organized Movement Systems for Livestock and Horses

Some equestrian projects rely on advanced systems to guide movement and control livestock, allowing them to be transported quickly and efficiently through organized gates. This system often includes designated pathways, including underground tunnels in certain sections, to facilitate movement and reduce stress on animals during events.

Dedicated Spaces for Horses

Separate pathways are provided for horses, such as a dedicated courtyard connected to the adjacent stables. This space features rest walls equipped with fixed rings to secure the horses and organize training or preparation for events. This separation of animal routes enhances safety and ensures smooth operations within the site.

Architectural section drawing showing the semi-sunken structures, underground tunnels, and tree integration. — Cross-section showing the use of underground tunnels to facilitate animal movement while preserving surface features.

Architecture Integrated with the Environment

Modern equestrian project designs focus on achieving full harmony between architectural structures and the surrounding nature. The goal is to create buildings that appear as a natural extension of the terrain, like contemporary ruins, providing a cohesive backdrop for all activities.

Combining Beauty and Functionality

This approach aims to integrate aesthetics with practical functions, highlighting elements of nature, animals, and local traditions without conflicting with the buildings. The result is a unified environment that offers a visually pleasing experience while providing functional space for effectively managing daily activities. For more related design inspiration, see our projects section.

High-angle aerial view of the entire Ganadería Santillán ranch showing fields, a pond, and circular arenas nestled in trees. — A comprehensive view of the ranch master plan, demonstrating the balance between agricultural fields and equestrian facilities. (Image © Cesar Béjar)

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The project can be considered a clear example of the emphasis on integrating buildings with nature, as the methods used in space distribution and movement organization demonstrate how design can respect the terrain and minimize heavy interventions. This point reflects a solid understanding of environmental and functional integration principles, which can be viewed as a straightforward positive aspect within the analytical context.

However, some challenges and potential limitations arise when attempting to apply such a model in other contexts. The design relies heavily on the specific natural terrain characteristics of the site, which may reduce its replicability in areas with different topographies or in larger-scale projects. Additionally, the high degree of space segmentation and the presence of multiple arenas and courtyards may increase operational complexity, requiring specialized human and technical resources to maintain flow and safety. On the other hand, focusing on integration with the landscape may impose constraints on future flexibility for expansion or modification, making the project more suitable as a systematic case study rather than a model that can be easily generalized. For insights on research related to environmental integration, visit our research section.

Therefore, this project can be most effectively utilized for educational and analytical purposes, to understand how to work with terrain, design movement paths, and distribute functions in an integrated manner, while keeping in mind that applying the model always requires adaptation to the specific conditions of each site. More examples of projects applying similar principles can be explored on our site.