The desert is a landscape in constant transformation. Shaped by the wind, its dunes, ridges, and fissures emerge and fade in an ever-shifting expanse, as if the scenery itself were alive. It is a land of stark contrasts, where the scorching heat of the day gives way to the crisp coolness of the night, revealing nature in its most primal form. In such a dynamic and untamed environment, how can architecture not only integrate but also respect and engage with its surroundings? This is the challenge faced by hotels built within Latin America’s vast desert landscapes.
Defined by their extreme aridity and minimal rainfall, deserts are often seen as harsh and inhospitable. While they are most commonly associated with Africa and Asia, they exist on every continent, each with unique characteristics. In Latin America, two of the most striking examples are the Atacama Desert and the Sonoran Desert. Spanning over 100,000 km², the Atacama stretches across Chile and parts of Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru and is recognized as the driest desert in the world. The Sonoran Desert, covering around 222,000 km², extends from the southwestern United States into northwestern Mexico, its landscape defined by dramatic rock formations and towering cacti.
