There, among the midst of the Jordanian desert landscape, lies Wadi Rum, a place where for thousands of years people have struggled through its harsh environment, a place that was never touched by hazardous human technology. A place where the Arab revolt forces fought alongside Lawrence of Arabia almost a 100 years ago.
Nowadays, however, this harsh desert environment, and government declared protected area is buzzing with tourists looking for an Eco tourism adventure of trekking and climbing. This area is considered one of Jordan most vital tourist destinations. So, what better way to build a resort in this place than to incorporate it within the mountains and the desert. Oppenheim Architecture + Design came up with a mystic Award Winning creation carved directly into the mountains that it almost melts beneath the desert landscape.
According to Oppenheim Architecture + Design they saw a singular opportunity to devise a new contract between man and nature. Reinterpreting the way they have dealt with the earth, their proposal establishes a new benchmark for design, quality and sustainability in the natural environment.
Photography By© Oppenheim Architecture + Images / Renderings by Luxigon
Oppenheim Architecture + Design described their approach as following “To live in harmony with the natural world, we must learn how to re-engage the land. Earnest and timeless, the architecture is simultaneously powerful, yet comfortable; primitive, yet innovative; casual, yet elegant; raw, yet refined. The built form merges silently with its wondrous setting, exploiting and enhancing the natural beauty of the site to establish luxury lodge accommodations – that are uniquely beautiful and luxurious. The resulting experience is sensual and sensitive, intentionally reduced to what is essential, establishing an ancient connection with the universe through simple, elemental forms, sincere materiality/detailing, and the use of bountiful natural resources both physical and ethereal. Nature accelerated, enhanced and embraced; nature nurtured.
The architecture we will humbly create within the realm of the Wadi is intended to miraculously and meticulously add another sound in a perfect symphony, another ingredient in a perfect dish. The conceptual point of departure has its roots in the tectonic and geological histories of the region.
Photography By© Oppenheim Architecture + Images / Renderings by Luxigon
Through an engagement of the existing natural faults and fissures, the architecture is inserted in the landscape with nominal impact and primal elegance-synchronizing with the topography. Symbiotically and sensitively attuned to the rhythms of the area – a responsible stewardship of the environment. The boundaries between man-made and nature, interior and exterior are deliberately blurred establishing maximum effect with minimum affect. The lodges are nestled across the landscape — enhancing rather than distorting an awareness of the context. An enlightened new approach to living with the land and not simply upon it; learning anew how to see, hear, touch, taste, and smell. Beauty, power and humility is achieved through a profound understanding of flow, light and orientation with the topography-fermenting a relationship with the surrounding desert. Simplicity and functionality are inherent to the entire design– so that nothing distracts the eye. The lodges and villas in their various incarnations; rock lodge, spa lodge, tent lodge and reserve villa are all designed as spatial responses towards establishing a connection, not dislocation with the awe-inspiring planet we inhabit. Their architectonic form responds directly to the rich regional cues: an evolutionary process that has established, over millennia, a clear and appropriate type that is in resonance with nature.”
Photography By© Oppenheim Architecture + Images / Renderings by Luxigon
