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Puritama Hot Springs / German del Sol

By Nico Saieh — Filed under: Leisure , Selected , ,
 

Architects: German del Sol
Location: San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Structural Engineer: Fernando del Sol y Enzo Valladares
Contractor: Salfa S.A.
Electrical Consultant: Renato Lorca
Sanitary Consultant: Francisco Cervantes
Site Area: 3,8 ha
Constructed Area: 88,5 sqm (changing rooms and bathrooms) / 493 sqm (Pools) / 501 m long (wooden path)
Photographs: Guy Wenborne


This thermal river flows generously in a secluded valley, 30 miles from the small town of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.

In its long course, it creates many natural pools to bath that have been used since ancient times, as the two existing Inca houses, prove.

The landscape work intends to give splendour to the place, poetically. And make a sustainable use ot the pools, possible.

Raised boardwalks treat the riverside grasses gently, and reveal the unique beauty of the river’s long winding course, and the pools in it.

Two basic white concrete structures house all the facilities, and make the wild nature of the place, stand out.

 

6 comments »

Fred Den says:

so simple architecture… amazing.

 
# August 31, 2008 at 13:03
architext says:

sometimes is important to remember that you don´t need special materials or structures to make good architecture.

 
# August 31, 2008 at 13:07
leop says:

excuse me, in this case where is suppose to be the architecture?

 
# August 31, 2008 at 15:08
Tico says:

for me looks like a sweet mountain bike trail

 
# September 1, 2008 at 15:42
sullka says:

Is that a latrine or a shower in the bathrooms?

 
# September 10, 2008 at 16:05
cocteau says:

i think it`s a beuatiful insertion to the landscape, the white volumes just matches the surroundings, like a mirror to the sky.

 
# September 11, 2008 at 00:20

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Looks like a squid.[+]
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