How does the concept of an ancestral home, in which a family might live for their entire lives and even pass on to their children, translate to 21st century modern architecture? For the past few decades, most home buyers have started with a modest, affordable home with the aim of continuing to move up as the years go by, living in several different houses by the time they retire. The days of acquiring the sort of home you might grow old in by the time you’re in your twenties or thirties seem awfully far away. But let’s just say you have both the means and a definitive idea of your preferred aesthetics that could very well carry into your twilight years, and you can dream up a fully customized structure that will serve as a functional, comfortable home with the potential of gaining considerable historic value in the future – what would you choose?

A young couple in Lima, Peru approached Luis Longhi of Longhi Architects for just this purpose, to commission the design and construction of a home where they would “live forever.” Says Longhi, “I knew I had in my hands a great opportunity to continue in my search of ancestral contemporary architecture. In that moment, I was ready to dedicate exclusive time to interpret their dreams in order to create a ‘container of life.’”

It’s an intriguing concept, and in this case, the result is essentially a work of modern sculpture, With cantilevered rectilinear volumes jutting out over an enclosed glass patio, complemented by pops of bright color and textural black basalt. Complete with maid’s quarters and a four-car garage, it feels like the contemporary equivalent of a manor, but rather than relying on the tried-and-true construction methods and materials of ages past, it takes an entirely new approach.

“My vision for a special house was confirmed when I went to the site for the first time and realized that it was already occupied by an old house where the couple was living with their two children,” says Longhi. “Then, the task was to demolish the material but keeping the spirit, in order to replace the old construction for a ‘House For Ever.’ The metaphor for the design was to imagine that a big ancestral rock was found in the site and needed to be carved in order to accommodate the living spaces.”

“The ‘black carved stone’ would be occupied by a 4 car garage, service patio, maid’s quarters and pool baths in the basement; kitchen, dining and living spaces in the first floor. The carving of the spaces would generate interesting ‘built in’ furniture with strong texture to be assorted with other natural and artificial materials in order for the allegory stone to remain as natural as possible to eventually be perceived as part of the owners’ desired garden. To complete the composition, the blackstone base supports four cantilever volumes containing the intimate rooms, as the ‘white floating stones’ once ambitioned by the client.”

It’s hard to say where the line is with modern design to prevent something from looking dated in a decade or two, but ‘A House Forever’ seems unique enough – from its shape to its custom built-in patio furniture – to stand on its own in the years to come, as long as the owners don’t change their minds about their needs and preferences.

The post Ancestral Contemporary Architecture: A House To Live In Forever first appeared on Dornob.

There’s no shortage of exotic accommodations in the world these days. You can stay in ice dwellings, underwater, in treehouses or, in the case of Skylodge Adventure Suites, hanging off a cliff above the heart of Peru’s mystic Sacred Valley, Cusco, in a totally transparent pod.

Skylodge Adventure Suites consist of three see-through architectural marvels made of aerospace aluminum and water-resistant polycarbonate. They were inspired by condors’ nests, and are certainly not for the faint-of-heart.

This one-night stay requires zero climbing or mountain experience, according to Natura Vive adventure company. But…yes there’s a but, getting to your luxury stay involves a climb up the face of the cliff on a steel ladder (called the Via Ferrata or iron road), a horizontal trek across the rock wall on cables (albeit complete with harness, other safety gear, and an experienced guide), while your descent options include a rappel or zip lines or a combo of both. Your reward? Incredible views of the picturesque Sacred Valley 400 meters below, most likely a pretty decent adrenaline high and a stay in a plastic capsule near the stars.

One hanging pod fits eight adrenaline junkies. Two pods are available to guests. You are treated to a gourmet meal with wine, and, yes, there’s a toilet. Should you freak out, you can draw the curtains of your hanging lodge, but why would you ever want to?

“To sleep at Skylodge, people must climb 400 mt. of Via Ferrata or hike an intrepid trail through ziplines. One night at this place will make your dreams come true. Packages includes breakfast & gourmet dinner with wine, transportation from Cuzco and our professional bilingual guides. Continuing with Natura Vive´s philosophy of sharing a mountain experience with people of all ages and capacities(Over 15 years old), in June of 2013 we opened the unique and first ever hanging lodge in the world, The Skylodge Adventure Suites.”

“The Natura Vive Skylodge is composed of three exclusive capsule Suites with a total capacity of 8 people. Our vertically hanging transparent capsule suites are situated at the top of our 1200 ft mountain with a 300 degree view of the majestic Sacred Valley. Hand crafted out of aerospace aluminum and weather resistant polycarbonate, each suite comes complete with four beds, a dinning area and a private bathroom . Measuring 24 ft. in length and 8 ft. in height and width, the capsule suites are composed of six windows and four ventilation ducts that ensure a comfortable atmosphere. Safety is insured by having the exit portal located in the upper part of the craft.”

For more information, visit www.naturavive.com, email info@naturavive.com or call them in Cusco at 084-793-019 or 951-373-240. (All images via Natura Vive and Skylodge Adventure Suites)

The post Sleep in a Transparent Pod Hanging Off a Cliff first appeared on Dornob.

When a family commissions the construction of their dream home, they typically plan to stay there forever. Such was the case with the family who contacted Longhi Architects in Lima, Peru to bring their dream modern design to life. There was an existing home on the site which inspired the architects to create the same type of classic ancestral home. “A House Forever” was built to resemble an ancient rock which was carved into a family home. It features four cantilevered volumes that contain the private areas of the home, resembling four mystical floating stones.

The architects’ plan was to create a home that would maintain the natural setting and eventually appear to be part of the breathtaking landscape.

Inside the home, built-in carved stone furniture carries on the natural theme. Steel and glass accents balance nature with sleek modernity.

Every part of the home shines with natural light and gentle electric lights. A spattering of bright colors here and there are a little taste of whimsy in an otherwise serious, sophisticated home.

Although the home somewhat resembles a cave, it lacks the cold bleakness of a natural cave. The stone manages to look inviting and warm while remaining true to the natural look desired by the family and the architects.

More from the architects

“When a young couple came to my office to commission the design and construction of a house where they would live forever, I knew I had in my hands a great opportunity to continue in my search of ancestral contemporary architecture. In that moment, I was ready to dedicate exclusive time to interpret their dreams in order to create a ‘container of life.'”

“My vision for a special house was confirmed when I went to the site for the first time and realized that it was already occupied by an old house where the couple was living with their two children. Then, the task was to demolish the material but keeping the spirit, in order to replace the old construction for a ‘House for Ever.’ The metaphor for the design was to imagine that a big ancestral rock was found in the site and needed to be carved in order to accommodate the living spaces.”

“This ‘black carved stone’ would be occupied by a 4 car garage, service patio, maid’s quarters and pool baths in the basement; kitchen, dining and living spaces in the first floor. The carving of the spaces would generate interesting ‘built in’ furniture with strong texture to be assorted with other natural and artificial materials in order for the allegory stone to remain as natural as possible to eventually be perceived as part of the owner’s desired garden.”

The post Nature and Modern Design Meet in a Palatial Peruvian Home first appeared on Dornob.