WATER TALES
In the Andean and high Andean forest, the dynamics of water in its gaseous and liquid states — suspended in the air and stored within the minuscule structures that cover the vegetative mantle — become fundamental for the proper development of life in our ecosystems. It trickles down from ferns, epiphytes, and mosses towards the slopes.
In these places, bird songs, the passage of wild animals, and the proliferation of soils enriched by volcanic eruptions abound. In these ecosystems, tree cover is vital, as it maintains the temperature, protects the soil from erosion, and forms microclimates and substrates suitable for plant covers that retain water and gradually irrigate it towards the basins, forming rivers with a controlled flow.
From this reflection arises the intention to REFOREST AND RESTORE an area of the cloud forest, along the Condor Route (Ruta del Cóndor), in the Río Claro sub-basin, part of the Río Chinchiná basin, in the rural area of the Villamaría municipality, Caldas.
To make this revitalisation process economically viable, the property was divided into three reforestation zones, each featuring a short-stay CONTEMPLATION REFUGE. These have the dual function of serving as temporary housing and as a place for reflection and environmental education through experiential pedagogical dynamics.
Having distinct characteristics due to their altimetry, topography, and pre-existing vegetation conditions, each of these zones requires different emphases in the restoration process, favouring the ecosystemic richness of a place affected by logging and extensive cattle ranching.
- MIST VIEWPOINT FOREST: Located in the upper part of the lot, on the western side, this zone requires a greater effort to enrich the soil affected by cattle. In this case, planting pioneer trees that fulfil this function is proposed.
- STREAMS FOREST: This forest on the eastern side, close to a stream, enjoys better soil quality, abundant forest cover, and cool environmental conditions. Therefore, trees are proposed to protect these characteristics and provide shelter for the species travelling through the watershed corridor.
- BIRD FOREST: The lower zone houses the most consolidated core of native forest. Its location at the meeting point of water currents intensifies the humidity, favouring the habitat of local and migratory bird species. In this sense, the trees planted there and the shrub species complement this habitat by offering food and shelter.
To address the steep topography, the project sculpted its place on the mountain through continuous exploration with site models. This modelling of the terrain ensured that the refuges did not impose themselves on the slope, but rather were drawn into it, making each piece a viewpoint responsible for safeguarding the landscape while taking advantage of its richness.
