kouvo & partanen: ALMA hotel residence

‘ALMA hotel residence’ by kouvo & partanen, atacama desert, chile all images courtesy of kouvo & partanen

finnish architectural practice kouvo & partanen has produced the winning design for the ‘ALMA hotel residence’, an accommodation facility for the researchers of ALMA, the atacama large millimeter/submillimeter array within the desert of atacama in northern chile. the largest ground-based astronomy project, the facility will be set upon the chajnantor plateau at an elevation of 5,000 meters with a telescope consisting of 66 radio antennas, placing them at the highest altitude in the world. astronomers, engineers, researchers and staff working at the center will have access to restaurants, office services and recreational spaces. a total area of 5,900 square meters, the main building will host 120 dormitories within the complex.

main building restaurant viewing the salar de atacama salt lake and desert

curving terraces adjust to the sloping terrain generating sheltered courtyards, shading the strong sun with canopies formed with local materials and canvas. local stone, copper, volcanic rock and steel are used within the main structure. the overall scale and appearance are visually integrated, evoking characteristics of the vibrantly colored landscape. immediately encompassed by the arid atacama desert, the venue has sweeping vistas in all directions viewing the snow-capped andean mountains, active volcanoes, salar of atacama salt lake and cordillera de domeyko mountains. strict ecological aspects include reusable water and solar systems, heat and cooling circulation with thermal insulation and landscaped roofs. the structural design will withstand the rapid changes in temperature, sand storms and earthquakes typical of the region.

site plan

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elevation

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