Comfort and Seclusion: 5 Hotels in the Deserts of Latin AmericaSave this picture!Hornitos Hotel / Gonzalo Mardones Viviani. Nico SaiehThe desert is a landscape in constant transformation. Shaped by the wind, its dunes, ridges, and fissures emerge and fade in an ever-shifting expanse, as if the scenery itself were alive. It is a land of stark contrasts, where the scorching heat of the day gives way to the crisp coolness of the night, revealing nature in its most primal form. In such a dynamic and untamed environment, how can architecture not only integrate but also respect and engage with its surroundings? This is the challenge faced by hotels built within Latin Americas vast desert landscapes.Defined by their extreme aridity and minimal rainfall, deserts are often seen as harsh and inhospitable. While they are most commonly associated with Africa and Asia, they exist on every continent, each with unique characteristics. In Latin America, two of the most striking examples are the Atacama Desert and the Sonoran Desert. Spanning over 100,000 km, the Atacama stretches across Chile and parts of Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru and is recognized as the driest desert in the world. The Sonoran Desert, covering around 222,000 km, extends from the southwestern United States into northwestern Mexico, its landscape defined by dramatic rock formations and towering cacti.Despite their extreme conditions, deserts have long been home to civilizations that have adapted with ingenuity and resilience. The Indigenous Atacameos, for example, build their homes from adobe, a material that stabilizes indoor temperatures despite the deserts dramatic thermal shifts. Similarly, the Tuareg nomads of the Sahara use lightweight fabric and animal-hide tents that provide both shade and ventilation. Across cultures, desert architecture is shaped by necessity, employing local materials and intelligent design to ensure comfort and survival in one of the most demanding environments on Earth. Related Article Architectural Interventions in the Desert: Natural Escapes, Minimal Intervention and Reclusive Luxury Save this picture!Today, the fascination with desert landscapes continues to grow, fueling a rise in tourism. In regions like the United Arab Emirates, luxury desert resorts echo the aesthetic of traditional nomadic camps while offering state-of-the-art technology and lavish interiors. In contrast, Latin Americas desert hotels embrace a more understated approach. Rather than bold, extravagant designs, they focus on subtle integration with the landscape, using earthy tones and materials like adobe to create a sense of harmony with their surroundings. Through careful attention to scale and proportion, these spaces foster a deeper connection with the desert, offering a refined yet immersive experience of its vastness.Continue reading to discover five remarkable hotels and lodges set within the deserts of Latin America.Paradero Hotel / Yashar Yektajo + Rubn ValdezTodos Santos, MexicoSave this picture!Paradero Hotel seeks to capture the dynamic essence of the desert, translating its natural movement into a fluid and immersive architectural design. Free from rigid lines or imposing structures, its forms appear sculpted by the wind itself, creating a seamless harmony with the landscape. Organic volumes blend with the winding paths that weave through the property, framed by native vegetation and the soft expanse of desert sand.Hotel Explora en Atacama / Germn del SolSan Pedro de Atacama, ChileSave this picture!Hotel Explora is centered around an elevated plaza, offering both privacy and breathtaking views. Its common areas, positioned four meters above the ground, provide an uninterrupted panorama of the vast Atacama landscape. The design preserves the essence of local architecture, emphasizing solid walls, lightweight roofs, small openings, and luminous shadowscapturing the spirit of a culture that thrives on simplicity and ingenuity.Hornitos Hotel / Gonzalo Mardones VivianiAntofagasta, ChileSave this picture!The primary goal of Hornitos Hotel was to intervene as minimally as possible. To achieve this, the architectural design follows a semi-buried, predominantly horizontal layout. A larger volume houses the main hotel, while smaller cabin-like structures are scattered across the terrain, blending seamlessly into the vast desert landscape. All structures are made of exposed reinforced concrete, pigmented in desert tones to enhance their natural integration with the surroundings.Hotel Tierra Atacama / Matias Gonzalez + Rodrigo SearleSan Pedro de Atacama, ChileSave this picture!The Tierra Atacama Hotel was built using a lightweight construction system, minimizing the use of materials such as aggregates, cement, and water. To address the challenges of building in a remote area, it incorporates stone and adobe walls, blending tradition with sustainability. Its architecture subtly frames the vast desert landscape, with pathways leading to open and enclosed courtyards, thoughtfully exploring the relationship between scale and time within the deserts immensity.Bed & Breakfast Santulan / Santos BolvarValle de Guadalupe, MexicoSave this picture!Composed of interconnected volumes linked by walkways that engage directly with nature, Santulan invites guests to experience both spiritual and architectural harmony. The project embraces eco-friendly construction techniques, featuring BTC (compressed earth block) walls, a greywater recycling system, and green roofs planted with low-maintenance native vegetation.This article is part of an ArchDaily curated series that focuses on built projects from our own database grouped under specific themes related to cities, typologies, materials, or programs. Every month, we will highlight a collection of structures that find a common thread between previously uncommon contexts, unpacking the depths of influence on our built environments. As always, at ArchDaily, we highly appreciate the input of our readers. If you think we should mention specific ideas, please submit your suggestions.Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorCamilla GhisleniAuthorCite: Ghisleni, Camilla. "Comfort and Seclusion: 5 Hotels in the Deserts of Latin America" [Comodidade e isolamento: 5 hotis nos desertos da Amrica Latina] 12 Mar 2025. ArchDaily. (Trans. Simes, Diogo) Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1027844/comfort-and-seclusion-5-hotels-in-the-deserts-of-latin-america&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Guangzhou Baiyun Railway Station TOD / Nikken SekkeiSave this picture! Yilong ZhaoArchitects: Nikken SekkeiYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2023 PhotographsPhotographs:Yilong Zhao, Yang Min (mintwow) Lead Architects: Nikken Sekkei More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!"An Integrated Station-City Development" Connecting Towns Divided by Railways In the center of the new CBD (central business district) development area in northern Guangzhou, Guangzhou Baiyun Station is a high-speed rail TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) and the only one of its kind in the world at the time of design.Save this picture!Save this picture!Comprising a station of 11 platforms and 24 tracks (connecting the Guangzhou-Zhanjiang High-Speed Railway, the Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway, the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway, and the Guangzhou-Qingyuan Intercity Railway), six subway lines, and three bus terminals, this enormous transportation hub is expected to have an estimated daily user base of 360,000 people. The development area above the station is approximately 170,000m2, and the surrounding area, including offices, commercial facilities, Serviced Apartments, and housing, has been developed as an integrated whole, covering an area of approximately 500,000m2. It focuses on the efficient use of land in the urban area and the creation of a sustainable transportation system centered on public use while proposing a rich mixed-use of functions and the future of urban public space.Save this picture!The most significant features of the development are "the Transit Loop" which effectively realizes the concept of the "station connecting divided urban precincts", the Grand Canopy facade that creates a welcoming sense of identity, and the "Station Core", a bright transfer space, connecting the various modes of public transportation. Transit Loop: Green Ring High-speed rail tracks are generally built above ground to minimize development costs and environmental impact, consequently dividing the city. As a solution, a three-dimensional ring-shaped pedestrian space, "the Transit Loop", was constructed from the metro transfer hall on the second basement floor to above the high-speed rail tracks. Urban functions and public spaces were placed adjacent to it, creating a foundation for the integration of the station and the town.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The Transit Loop has a height difference of five stories from the second basement to the third floor. Starting its journey from the subway hall, it splits into two (north/south direction), following arcs on both sides and connecting to another subway hall approximately 400 meters away. The pedestrian route features a variety of greenery on the east and west sides while combining public spaces such as rest areas. It is a place for relaxation and recreation not only for station visitors but also for local people to spend their time.Save this picture!Furthermore, a transformative public space, Breathing Square, was placed where the Transit Loop coming from the east-west metro halls intersects vertically with the north-south high-speed railway on the third floor. Usually, this space is used as a plaza for local events. However, during peak seasons, such as the Chinese New Year and National Day, an additional station entrance is opened to accommodate the overwhelming number of travelers, and the plaza functions as the station front. This is one of the symbolic features of TOD, where the station, the surrounding development, and the community transform as if breathing in response to each other's presence.Save this picture!Viewed from above, the Transit Loop is arranged in a circular pattern with the high-speed rail station building on the inside and three bus terminals and public space, such as a transportation plaza, as well as offices, hotels, and commercial facilities on the outside. This loop is the most important feature of Baiyun Station, serving as a vital link to connect the entire area and region through its rich public spaces.Save this picture! Grand Canopy: Petals What does a station mean to the people? Much consideration led us to the Grand Canopy, large 30-meter cantilevered eaves on the station facade. Under the Grand Canopy, inspired by Guangzhou's symbolic cotton flower, is a public space open to the community. Station visitors use it as a plaza, promenade, playground, and running track.Save this picture!The structure that supports the petals is realized by combining two steel columns that follow the outline of the petals. Without adding any decorative materials to the box steel columns but exposing them as the frame of the petal, the design directly expresses its structural functionality.Save this picture!The petal structure is supported by the columns of the metro platform on the fourth basement floor. Considering the load restriction, a PTFE membrane was adopted to reduce the weight of the petals, providing the necessary structural lightness and aesthetics. There are few restrictions on the manufacturing dimensions of the membrane material, as it is easy to process and can be rolled up for transportation. The use of 30-meter-long membranes realized a seamless "cotton flower" facade.Save this picture!During events or at night, up-lighting placed at the base of the petals can project a variety of lights onto the membrane, communicating a changing expression to the city. The spectacle of human activities taking center stage under the giant canvas of the petals contributes to the facade and its symbolism of the station and the city in its new era.Save this picture! Station Core: Light Valley The Station Core is an open atrium that provides vertical circulation between each floor, from the public transportation concourse on the second basement up to the fourth floor above ground. In addition to being a crucial transfer space, it is also the face of the station as the first view for visitors arriving at the facility. The design set out to achieve a "sense of arrival" by creating a pleasant, open, and light-filled space.Save this picture!The Station Core is a Light Valley filled with natural light at all times, with uninterrupted sightlines. Stretching from north to south, the Station Core captures the sunlight from different directions depending on the time of the day. By analyzing the sun's angle throughout the year, louvers with three different angles were placed along the arched beams to capture the optimal amount of light. Maximum shade was provided where people tend to stay longer, while as much light as possible is introduced into the circulation areas around the escalators on either side.Save this picture!Fine-pitched collar beams installed between the arch beams act as solar shading louvers, pursuing a unity of architecture and structure where the expression of structure becomes a key design aesthetic. Elegant, symmetrically curved columns are expressed on the inside of the large cantilever of the Grand Canopy station facade that counteract the force acting on the outside and maintain structural stability.Save this picture!On their journey through the station, people are guided by the light. Although two stories underground, the Light Valley welcomes people by gradually transforming itself from morning to afternoon to evening through different combinations of direct and diffused light throughout the day. The start of station-city integration begins with a comfortable travel experience through natural light.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Guangzhou, ChinaLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeNikken SekkeiOfficePublished on March 12, 2025Cite: "Guangzhou Baiyun Railway Station TOD / Nikken Sekkei" 12 Mar 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1027838/guangzhou-baiyun-railway-station-tod-nikken-sekkei&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Have you seen our latest Blender + Cycles interior tutorial? The bunny enjoyed it :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHS4u9YaIDw&amp ;amp;ab_channel=3DShaker

Have you seen our latest Blender + Cycles interior tutorial? The bunny enjoyed it :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHS4u9YaIDw&amp ;amp;ab_channel=3DShaker

Get all Revit Courses: https://balkanarchitect.com/?utm_source=youtube&amp ;amp;utm_medium=07YT25My Revit project files: https://www.patreon.com/balkanarchitect?utm_source=youtube&amp ;amp;utm_medium=07YT25Get my Personal Revit Template + Family Pack: https://balkanarchitect.com/p/balkan-architect-architecture-template-metric Subscribe for more!Please Like this Tutorial!Follow me on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balkanarchitect/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Balkan-Architect-278024016289562/?modal=admin_todo_tour Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArchitectBalkan Timestamps:00:00 - Intro00:55 - Overriding the graphics01:45 - Hiding Category 03:07 - Hiding Elements03:47 - Temporarily Hide Elements in Category04:32 - Temporarily Hide Category04 :51 - Temporarily Hide Element05:14 - Halftone06:11 - Outro07YT25

Always wanted to learn how to play the piano? Theres no better time than now, and thats exactly when you can start with Skoove Premium Piano Lessons. This app uses advanced AI to give you curated virtual piano lessons so you can learn from home without a teacher. And right now, a lifetime subscription is just $149.99 (reg. $299).Join over 1 million piano studentsSo many people are already taking advantage of Skooves interactive piano lessons, and its not hard to see why. Its ideal for all skill levels, whether youre a newbie or advanced. And the AI actually listens and recognizes the notes you play to give you real-time feedback as you go. Its like a real piano teacher, but Skoove wont get mad if you dont practice your scales.There are over 400 lessons and thousands of instructional videos at your fingertips with this subscription, and you can work at your own pace thanks to their tailored learning.Already fancy yourself a pianist? Advanced lessons and techniques are available for seasoned piano players to improve their skills further.Learn the music you love thanks to their diverse genre optionsincluding pop hits from Adele to classical music by Bach. Monthly updates ensure you always have new music and lessons to tackle, which is a great perk with this lifetime subscription.Skoove is compatible with any piano or keyboard, so you can learn from anywhere. And if youre ever stumped, theres one-on-one support available from Skoove music instructors.Learn to play piano at your own pace.Get a lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons for $149.99.StackSocial prices subject to change.Skoove Premium Piano Lessons: Lifetime Subscription $149.99See Deal

Whats the weirdest thing you learned this week? Well, whatever it is, we promise youll have an even weirder answer if you listen to Popular Sciences hit podcast. The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week hits Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere else you listen to podcasts every-other Wednesday morning. Its your new favorite source for the strangest science-adjacent facts, figures, and Wikipedia spirals the editors of Popular Science can muster. If you like the stories in this post, we guarantee youll love the show.I host another podcast called Science Quickly, and we recently did an episode all about the science of earworms. One of the wildest things I learned while recording that episode is that, a few years back, a study found that a great way to get rid of an earworm is to chew gum.Scientists at the University of Reading found that jaw movement disrupts the nerve signals responsible for mentally practicing a song. So, next time youre stuck with an annoying tune, try chewing on something.You can learn more about earworms over at Science Quickly. But this week on Weirdest Thing, I pivoted to do a deep dive on gum itself.Gums history goes way further back than the first airport impulse buy. Ancient Scandinavians chewed birch sap 10,000 years ago and Mayans loved chicle. The Aztecs picked up a chicle habit as well, but they had strict gum rules. (Men who chewed it in public were seen as effeminate, and young women who did so were loose, but kids and old ladies could chew to their hearts content.)Fast forward to today, and gum is kind of a mystery. A lot of it contains synthetic rubber and other petroleum-based products. But its not all bad. Some studies suggest gum might boost alertness, reduce stress, and even improve memory if you chew the same flavor while studying as you do while taking tests. So whether you chew for the taste, the focus, or just to shake off Baby Shark, theres a lot more to gum than meets the molars.FACT: Rich people used to keep squirrels as petsBy Vinny ThomasIn the 1700s, colonial Americans were all about keeping wild animals as petsnone more popular than the humble squirrel. Even Benjamin Franklin had one, named Mongo (RIP, taken too soon by his dog, Ranger).Squirrels were so beloved that wealthy families had portraits painted of their children with their leashed, nut-cracking companions. But by the 1910s, the craze faded as people realizedperhaps too latethat squirrels are, in fact, completely unhinged.Imagine a world where we had domesticated squirrels like dogs, breeding them for speed, size, or extra-stupidly-long tails. Instead, we settled for guinea pigs, who lack both the intelligence and the audacity to escape over a six-inch wall. Maybe its for the best. But still what could have been?FACT: The Romans may have flooded the Colosseum for naval battlesBy Jess BoddyOkay, so you know the Colosseum, right? That massive, ancient, slightly crumbling but still standing amphitheater in Rome? Youve seen it in pictures, travel vlogs, maybe even the 2008 sci-fi cinematic masterpiece Jumper (which, by the way, deserves more respect). But back in the dayby which I mean way, way back, like 80 ADthe Colosseum wasnt just some cool historic site. It was the place to be if you were looking for entertainment. Think of it like ancient TikTok, except instead of endless scrolling, you got live-action gladiator fights.There are claims that at some point, they didnt just use the Colosseum for fights and huntsthey filled it with water. And then they staged full-on naval battles. Like, actual ships. In a stadium. Some historians swear this really happened, and others remain unconvinced. But we do know that these types of staged naval battles happened. The only question is whether the Colosseum ever got flooded to accommodate one.This week, Im diving into the weird, chaotic, and sometimes horrifying history of the Colosseum, from the elaborate stage productions to the massive, multi-thousand-person battlesand yes, even the possibility of Romans putting down a giant tarp to make themselves an indoor sea.

Skip to contentNewsNeuroscienceParenthood may help the brain stay youngMale and female parents experience a boost in brain region coordination, a new study reports As the number of kids parented increases, so does coordination between brain regions activities particularly in a network that helps us infer other peoples thoughts a new study reports.MoMo Productions/DigitalVision/Getty Images PlusBy McKenzie Prillaman39 seconds agoRaising children may help your brain stay young.A study of almost 38,000 adults finds that the more kids they had, the more synchronized the activity between certain brain regions became. The strongest association between the number of children and functional connectivity turned up in a brain network believed to aid in inferring others thoughts, researchers report in the March 4 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Coordinated activity within this network typically decreases with age, suggesting that child-rearing which involves learning new skills may provide long-lasting protection against brain aging.

Nature, Published online: 12 March 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00727-7Despite the buzz surrounding smart cities in urban-policy circles, studies are lacking on the evidence for what works, what doesnt and who benefits.

Scientists have found a way to store hundreds of terabytes of data onto a tiny crystal, with plans to scale this up to a disc-sized device that can be compatible with modern computing.