Bovadas at the Golden Bee

Yes, building the GOLDEN BEE was one of the largest projects Theo and I, Sara Tink, ever took on. It took 6 years to complete. We couldn't have done it with out the support of my mom, Liz and Architect David Chavez Chavez, plus an AMAZING CREW of master builders. 

Where to start? I guess I will start with a question almost everyone asks, "how are the Bovadas built?" I think its easier to show in photographs. So below are a few photos of building the Bovada on the third floor, Panoromantica, Suite.  A Bovada is a domed ceiling built without a form. Each brick is placed and held until it stays and then another is added. One by one unfolds an upside down woven brick basket. The shape changes while building up a few feet a day all around the circumference of the space. A very special mortar mix is used, this recipe is passed down by Bovadaro family members. By slowly curving and working up the dome is formed and then is closed in at the top.  It's very magical to watch, the sky just disappears a little bit everyday. It goes pretty fast and all of the sudden your standing underneath a work of art. The kitchen Bovada in the Queendom suite downstairs is also built with this same technique, but it's at least twice the size, and is a rectangular dome.

The first corner.....

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Side view of the creation of the Bovada.

Half way done...

Almost finished, isn't that just magical. And to top it off it has a glass cupola in which you can see the night sky.