Interior design for Mountain Lodges of Peru
Some years ago, I was hired to design and implement the interiors of four Lodges located in an alternative trail to reach the ancient city of Machu Picchu in Cusco.
The concept captured me from the beginning. Even though I had no idea where I was heading in the midst of enormous mountains. It was a marvelous, physically demanding and surprising challenge. The trail goes from Moyepata to Machu Picchu through a pedestrian path that crosses the foothills of the sacred snow-capped mountain of Salkantay.
The proposal was launched from the Andean cosmovision, the traditional way to see Earth, Cosmos and Life. I went back to review the Peruvian History. Then, I proposed theme designs. There were 4 Lodging places to set and each hotel was to show or induce an inspiration based on such key components of the Andean cosmovision. For example:
Soraypampa: located at the basis of the Salkantay glaciar, represents “The Inca”: a mixture of divinity and authority. The colors, patterns and utensils used in his daily life are captured in the interiors of this hotel, as well as the legends of the origin of the Inca Empire.
Huayramachay: located over 4000 meters above sea level, surrounded by a unique vegetation, represents”Divinity”, the world of the Gods or Hanan Pacha. I designed a hand made chandelier in metal and ceramics to give warmness and quality to the space. The Andean Sacred ceremonies are represented in pictures and ornaments.
Huacawasi: located over 4000 meters above sea level, surrounded by a unique vegetation, represents the divinity, the world of the Gods or Hanan Pacha. I proposed and design candelabra hand made in metal and ceramics to give warmness and quality to the space. The Andean Sacred ceremonies are represented in pictures and ornaments.
Collpapampa: a lodge located near the conjunction of two rivers, represents the world of men or the Kai Pacha. The society from the Andes are charecterice for its colorful dances and music. Also as hard working people. Their clothes, costums and masks that they use nowadays in their festivities are exhibited in this place.
Lucmabamba: is a lodge located in the tropical zone of the Andes. It is 7 walking hours away, from Machu Picchu. This area shows a very diverse flora; fruits and a variety of products like coffee, honey among others. The interior design in this lodge represents the Mother Nature. The lamps in the sleepingrooms where made out of recycled, natural paper as well as ceramics. It is quite an experience to stay in such amazing environment.
Paintings, ceramic, textiles and furniture were specifically designed for each lodge. Popular elements applied to new designs were also used in decorative objects, such as screen-printed glass with Huari weaving patterns. Miniature dolls purchased in Cusco, representing characters of the Andean society. I used them as a frame in the mirrors of one of the hotels. Textiles imitating ancestral fabrics applied to the headboards in bedrooms as well.
Some year later MLP decided to open other lodge in Lares and in Huacawasi where I was partially in charge of the Interior design. Although this is a very cold place, like many towns along the Andes, is full of history and stories.
For the interior design I proposed very bright and powerful color which I took from the pattern of the dresses of local girls. I visited the local school and talked to the Principal; She told me a unbelievable and interesting story about the place and how their animals are so important to them, specially the cows. All this information became my design inputs.
