© Gustavo Valencia . Published on December 17, 2008.

The project is located in Guatapé- Antioquia, just two hours away from Medellín, a place with natural potential for ecological tourism development. It consists of a series of refuges immerged within a natural landscape which offers visitors an escape from the agitated city life.

© Gustavo Valencia . Published on December 17, 2008.

The challenge of this project was to have an architecture where the priority was to cherish the concept and idea of preserving nature; the outward appearance becomes secondary issue.

© Gustavo Valencia . Published on December 17, 2008.

Rather than domesticating the slopes of the terrain, these refuges perfectly adapt to the topography, seeming as if the structure emerged from it. In order to minimize the impact on the site, the roof was conceived as an extension of the natural mountain, with gardens in its perimeter providing a flat surface for outdoor activities and landscape contemplation.

© Gustavo Valencia . Published on December 17, 2008.

The use of elements from traditional Colombian dwelling architecture like perimeter corridors, enhance the relationship between interior and exterior and generate a human dialog with nature.

© Gustavo Valencia . Published on December 17, 2008.

This reconciliation between Architecture and its surroundings conveys the idea that an architectonic development can be achieved on favor of preserving nature.

© Gustavo Valencia . Published on December 17, 2008.

© Gustavo Valencia . Published on December 17, 2008.

© Gustavo Valencia . Published on December 17, 2008.

© Gustavo Valencia . Published on December 17, 2008.

© G Ateliers Architecture . Published on December 17, 2008.

© G Ateliers Architecture . Published on December 17, 2008.

© G Ateliers Architecture . Published on December 17, 2008.

© G Ateliers Architecture . Published on December 17, 2008.