suspended campsite for climbers

suspended campsite for climbers by dr. margot krasojevic. massif de l'esterel, south of france.

okay, i kept looking at these pictures because it can't be real....it has to be a mock-up right?  nope. it's real. crazy.

dr. margot krasojevic is known for using digital parameters to explore the psychological effects of architecture - materials & spatiality - on its inhabitants. the hanging hotel/suspended campsite was completed in october 2011 for holden manz wine estate cape town in massif de l'esterel (gorges du vedron) south of france. the project is an investigation in the choreography of perceptions of the environment around us. in this project, catering to rock climbers, dr. krasojevic uses compound glass & a prism louver system to alter how the climbers see their environment & stimulates different psychological experiences based on these subtle shifts in vision.

the hanging hotel is a composition of platforms & pods that are affixed to the existing granite through borehole foundations injected into the rock face that clamp the structure to the facade. these platforms can be used as additional obstacles for the climbers, but are intended to be used as rest areas for a pause along the route. the primary structure of the platforms & their interior pods are composed of steel horizontal piles, columns & steel frame sections. the secondary structure is the wooden walkway that supports the structure & creates a smooth geometry across the surface. third is laminated plywood paneling & a carbon fibre reinforced polymer shell that partitions the pods. the structure is finished with elastic plaster & paint.

the most important ingredient to this mix of materials is the holographic filtered compound glass & prism louver system. the glass first serves the practical purpose of protecting the climbers from harmful UVB rays from the sun. the holographic filter reduces the glare & types of wavelengths that enter the pods. for exhausted climbers this is an important aspect that also provides a safe environment in which to relax before continuing their climb.

because these filters are removable, it allows the experience of the pods to be choreographed based on the desired affect. the louvers to which the filters are affixed wrap around the pods & create a shading system. they also dim the sunlight & with certain tweaks of the filters they can produce mirages & illusions out of the true environment, altering colors & relationships of the views. the design also takes advantage of the altitude, which can be disorienting in itself, as well as the exhaustion associated with rock climbing.

the pods allow occupants to disassociate from the reality of the present moment by altering the visual components. it works in two ways: it provides mental relaxation & preparation for the rest of the climb & creates a meditative environment to aid recovery.