Nadir विश्रामस्थलम् by Paolo Demel is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award कांस्यपुरस्कारः in स्थापत्य, भवन एवं संरचना अभिकल्पना Competition Category.
कांस्यम्स्थापत्यम्· 2026
Nadir विश्रामस्थलम्
by Paolo Demel
Client: Paolo Demel
A' Design Award कांस्यपुरस्कारः Winner in स्थापत्यम् Category
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The Design
About Nadir विश्रामस्थलम्
नादिरः इति अटाकामा-मरुभूमौ स्थितम् एकं विश्रामस्थलं यत् भूमेः उत्खनितम् इव प्रतीयमानं वास्तुशिल्पत्वेन परिकल्पितम्। निम्नाः ऋजुकोणीयाः आयतनाः शैलं प्रति दृढं तिष्ठन्ति, गभीराः स्तम्भवीथीः, वातरक्षिताः प्राङ्गणानि, छायायुक्ताः देहलीश्च रचयन्ति। जलं शीतलीकरणस्य दर्पणरूपेण प्रयुज्यते, बाह्याः जलाशयाः कन्दरस्य आकाशं प्रतिबिम्बयन्ति, निमग्नाः तडागाश्च उत्कीर्णकक्षान् अधिवसन्ति। आन्तरिकभागाः स्तरितशिलापृष्ठैः तथा नियन्त्रितं दिवाप्रकाशं प्रवेशयद्भिः वृत्ताकाररन्ध्रैः निर्मिताः, ये चकाचौंधं तापं च न्यूनीकुर्वन्ति। बालुकावर्णीयेष्टिकानिर्माणस्य, प्रदीपनस्य, अल्पीकृतगृहसज्जायाश्च संयमितः वर्णपटलः आश्रयं विस्तृतदृश्यं च प्रोद्भावयति।
The Recognition
About the A' Design Award कांस्यपुरस्कारः
Nadir विश्रामस्थलम् A' Design Award कांस्यपुरस्कारस्य विजेता अस्ति; अयम् उच्चप्रतिष्ठितः सम्मानः सृजनशीलतया उद्भावनकौशलेन तीक्ष्णप्रज्ञया च विशिष्टेभ्य उत्कृष्टेभ्योऽभिकल्पेभ्यो दीयते। कांस्यविजेतारः प्रचुरकौशलयुक्ता उल्लेखनीयतया सृजनशीलाश्च शिल्पकृतयः सन्ति, याः स्वाभिकल्पकानां विपुलम् अनुभवं कल्पनाशक्तिं साधनसम्पन्नतां च प्रमाणयन्ति। Nadir विश्रामस्थलम् अत्यन्तं मूल्यवान् प्रशंसितः प्रियश्च पदार्थः, उल्लेखनीयतया व्यावसायिको नवोन्मेषयुक्तश्च भविष्यतीति प्रत्याशा क्रियते। A' Design Award कांस्यपुरस्कारं जितवद् एतद् अभिकल्पकार्यं कलाविज्ञानाभिकल्पप्रौद्योगिकीनां श्रेष्ठतमाः पद्धतीः समावेशयति सूक्ष्मांशेषु ध्यानाच्च उत्कृष्टम् अस्ति। Nadir विश्रामस्थलम् अस्माकम् आवश्यकताः सुन्दरं पूरयति, कामनाः स्पृशति, भावान् मोहयति, जिज्ञासां चाकर्षयति।
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- A monolithic resort in Chile’s Atacama Desert, carved from stratified stone where architecture is defined by void rather than object. Thick, high thermal mass walls, shaded courtyards, and top lit oculi provide passive cooling and controlled daylight. Water elements temper the microclimate and enhance reflections, while a restrained stone and wood palette delivers timeless, durable luxury integrated with the canyon.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The resort covers approximately 5,000 square meters and features an outdoor pool, 3 indoor pools, as well as a full wellness area with a Turkish bath, sauna, and relaxation area. The pools range in depth from 1 meter to 3 meters.
- Tags
- Atacama Desert, desert resort, carved architecture, Nadir oasis, Nadir resort, design oasis, Nadir concept
- Production Technology
- Developed through iterative massing and void carving studies plan and section first, then 3D parametric modeling to control oculi, courtyard proportions and shadow lines. Material assembly logic is based on locally sourced stone or stone veneer on RC frame with high thermal mass, ventilated cavities, concealed linear LEDs, and waterproofed pool shells designed for low maintenance desert operation.
- Design Challenge
- The hardest part was balancing excavation with comfort and safety in an extreme desert: creating shaded, quiet interior oases without losing daylight, views, or a clear guest journey. Limited water, harsh sun, thermal swings and fragile geology pushed us to use the rock mass as a climate buffer, minimize exposed facades, and choreograph light wells and courtyards.
- Research
- design research and site study. Objectives: create a low glare, sheltered resort embedded in rock, with water as an oasis cue. Methodology: climate solar mapping, spatial sequencing, and iterative massing tests. Data Tools: sun path, wind data, 3D models
- Inspiration
- Inspired by the Atacama’s stratified geology and pre Columbian desert settlements, the project treats architecture as a carved refuge space shaped by subtraction, shade, and silence. Research into thermal mass, controlled zenithal daylight, and evaporative microclimates informed courtyards, oculi, and water basins to create comfort with minimal mechanical demand.
- Project Duration
- Nadir Resort is a hospitality concept developed from august 2025 to February 2026 for a site in the Atacama Desert, Chile. The proposal integrates architecture with existing rock formations by partial excavation, forming protected courtyards and interior pool spaces. The project was prepared as a design competition submission and visualised through iterative spatial and material studies.
- Operation Flow
- Guests arrive from the open desert and slip into a cooler, carved threshold. A gentle descent leads through shaded passages where sound, texture and warm light guide the way. Skylights and cuts in the rock reveal a sequence of indoor outdoor oases: pools, lounges and quiet rooms. Movement shifts naturally from social spaces to private retreat, while the surrounding stone keeps the atmosphere calm and temperate.
- Image Credits
- Image #1 : Paolo Demel (designer), Image #2 : Paolo Demel (designer), Image #3 : Paolo Demel (designer), Image #4 : Paolo Demel (designer), Image #5 : Paolo Demel (designer)
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