Oppenheim Architecture+Design, a Florida-based firm recently released the images of their competition-winning architectural design of a new desert lodge conceptualized in Wadi Rum, the largest pre-historic valley in Jordan. The design artistically amalgamates the architectural modernity with the mystical aura of “The Valley of the Moon”, another name for Wadi Rum. It offers a novel but humbling experience for the humans who wish to remain aligned with the natural environment and still enjoy the comforts of a luxurious getaway. The project seeks to establish new standards of construction in natural habitat and that too without disturbing the essence of the environment.
The geometrically patterned luxury accommodations lend the feel of illuminated chiseled caves cut into natural sandstone structures, whereas in reality the architecture is developed within the natural fissures and faults of the habitat. As a result, the original raw nature of topography remains intact and beautifully maintains the delicate balance between nature’s purity and human intelligence.
The design elaborately demonstrates the intricacies of structures keeping in mind the geological histories embedded in the region. The rock lodge, for instance, offers a panoramic view of the desert’s wilderness from within the comforts of the cool interiors tastefully developed within the stone. Hamam’s (bathing pool) transports one into the ancient cultures where waterfalls within the enclosed natural structures would suffice the basic needs of privacy and provision of a spa is there to further soothe human soul. The natural light funneling through the open crevices further accentuates the feeling of absolute link with nature.
The outside tent provides the real-life experiences of the royal journeys that must have taken place in the ancient past, the flamboyance exhibited by the Caliphs of bygone era can be re-lived through the experience.
The night view is all the more breathtaking when the illuminated accommodations within the sandstone mounds and lamps placed outside provide the feel of a thousand ancient eyes glimmering from the wombs of the structures as if keeping a watch on the wastelands of Jordan and its Biblical past.
Even the natural play of light during sunsets and sunrise metamorphose the view into something which is beyond human vocabulary. Glazed lodge and welcome area though relate with the rest of the architecture but modernity is too starkly visible but in totality the entire experience is spiritually fulfilling.
Via: Designboom
