SHELTERS
& SPACE
Architecture as a Dialogue with Nature:
Architecture is the art of creating shelter without disrupting the horizon. It is about crafting spaces that don’t compete with nature, but rather capture its essence and become part of it. These designs are born from a deep connection to the land, offering a pause, a vantage point, and a sanctuary for exploration. Every line is drawn to ensure that the transition between the wild outside and the comfort inside feels completely natural, timeless, and inspiring. Architecture shouldn't fill the landscape; it should reflect it. My focus is on creating conceptual shelters that blur the lines between the built environment and the wilderness. Each project is a thoughtful exploration of space, light, and materiality, designed to offer refuge while keeping you fully connected to the elements. It’s about building environments that feel less like structures, and more like an extension of the earth.
NIMBUS REFLEX
The Vision
Nimbus Shelter is a mid-route emergency in Bariloche that redefines the remote sanctuary. A bold departure from traditional mountain cabins, this architectural icon is designed as a temporary bivouac and safety pod for weather eventualities halfway through the trek. Featuring a compact, quick-access layout, it provides the essential thermal protection and survival amenities needed while hikers are en route to their final destination.
Architectural Language
The facade is a sculptural study of mimesis. Continuous, mirrored panels simulate the surrounding forest and the dramatic layout of the Andes, creating a dynamic play of reflections and natural alpine camouflage. This fluid geometry houses strictly optimized temporary safety spaces, including a signature floor-integrated sleeping pod and a high-efficiency heating cell, achieving a definitive "invisible-refuge" status.
The Designer's Mark
From the structural integration with the living trees to the final conceptual render, this project represents a singular, uncompromising vision by Felisa Arabia. It is a turn-key survival lifestyle where the external reflective "skin" and the essential interior shelter experience are perfectly synchronized.
ANDES MODULES
The Vision
The Andes Modules are high-altitude, bioclimatic sanctuaries integrated into the extreme mountain topography that redefine the concept of "sustainable isolation." Designed as strategic mid-route stations and emergency storm shelters positioned between the base and the summit, these monolithic concrete structures serve as a physical extension of the rugged terrain itself. For the explorer facing unexpected weather, the modules function as a self-sustaining ecosystem for temporary resupply, where the boundaries between raw architectural geometry and the imposing winter habitat dissolve entirely.
Architectural Language
The architecture is a sculptural dialogue between brutalist engineering and celestial observation. A heavy, reinforced concrete exoskeleton wraps around each module, creating a structural skin that supports a thick layer of natural snow insulation while framing panoramic, floor-to-ceiling glass openings. The compact interior layout completely turns towards the distant peaks, transforming a strategic bivouac space into an immersive astronomical observatory. Organized in a precise, symmetrical line, the repetitive modular layout guarantees optimized thermal mass retention and uninterrupted, 360-degree views of the starry night sky during overnight shelter.
The Designer’s Mark
From the fluid yet rigid geometry of the exterior concrete ribs to the curated selection of ultra-insulated interior elements, this project represents a cutting-edge architectural vision. It is a holistic model of remote, temporary living where structural endurance and cosmic contemplation are perfectly synchronized. Every detail—from the high-performance wood-burning stoves to the seamless transitions between the common shelter area and the sleeping quarters—is a testament to a philosophy that prioritizes structural safety and profound sensory experience over mere ornamentation.
