Havana-based designer Jorge Luis Veliz Quintana of creative studio Veliz Arquitecto has envisaged an imaginative refuge in the rugged mountains of Cuba. Boasting breathtaking views across the digitally replicated landscape, the ‘Cabins on the Mountain’ are designed to be camouflaged among the age-old boulders and towering trees.
Working in SketchUp, Lumion 3D-rendering software and then Photoshop to realise the digital retreats, Veliz Arquitecto intends for the cabins to be used for short stays, targeted at wilderness-loving mountain climbers and tourists alike. Jorge explains, “the idea is that the cabins are far from the cities and can only be accessed by [guests] walking for a long time, through their own efforts”.
After a hard walking tour, the reward is enormous: a pleasant stay in communion with nature.
‘Cabins on the Mountain’ in Cuba by Veliz Arquitecto
Cradled by rocks, trees and endemic shrubbery, the organically shaped pods are defined by curved wooden lattice structures perched upon concrete platforms, giving the dwellings a feeling of floating high above the valley. “The construction system is based on an important concrete platform, a wooden structure and translucent glass to take advantage of the visuals of the environment in its entirety,” says Jorge.
Inside, the designer explains that the uncomplicated cabins feature “only what is necessary to live well and in harmony with the outside”. A set of stairs from the ground level delivers guests into an open-plan interior that houses the sleeping and bathing quarters. The decoration, Jorge adds, would be very rustic with exposed timber finishes, fabrics and a range of natural textures.
At the front of each cabin, the interior is shown to unfold onto a sun-drenched terrace complete with a hammock and sitting area. The splendid location is ideal for stargazing at night and taking in spectacular scenes at sunrise – the ultimate pay-off for those willing to make the journey. “After a hard walking tour, the reward is enormous: a pleasant stay in communion with nature,” Jorge says.
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