Designed in response to its natural surroundings, Alai, in Mexico, by Zaha Hadid Architects marries ecological considerations, engaging design and a reinterpretation of local architectural tradition. Located on a site prepared by a previous owner for an unbuilt complex, Alai’s design is guided by principles of integrating a new residential community while also minimising the effect on local ecosystems. The design has significantly reduced its environmental impact by limiting the combined footprint of all residential buildings to less than 7% of the site’s total area, enabling existing vegetation to be retained and a majority of the site to be returned to its natural state through an ongoing programme of replanting planned in conjunction with landscape architects, Gross Max.