accommodations | GIZMODO.cz

Stationed atop turquoise rivers and surging waterfalls, Cocoon Villas comprise an ecotourism village in Mexico’s Huasteca potosina region.

Located in Mexico’s San Luis Potosí, Huasteca potosina is a geographical and cultural region known for its myriad waterfalls, turquoise river streams, huge canyons, and lush jungle ecosystems. While it’s one of Mexico’s best-kept secrets, people from across the world visit the region for its extreme sports attractions, cenotes, and hiking trails. Adding to the region’s slim catalog of eco-friendly architecture and tourist accommodations, GAS Architectures unveiled visuals for a cluster of conic, ecotourism villas called Cocoon Villas located in the verdant woodlands of Huasteca potosina.

Located next to the river, the Cocoon Villas as currently envisioned offer panoramic views of the surrounding environment through a glass facade that’s crisscrossed with diamond bamboo joists. The diamond bamboo framing supports and protects each villa’s structure with natural waterproof and insect repellent properties, similar to Kevlar. Each villa comprises two floors, the ground level is reserved for social gatherings whereas the top floors are kept for sleeping and panoramic vista points.

In addition to its protective measures, the bamboo joists play with the natural sunlight to form unique shadows throughout the home during the day.

Then at night, the diamond bamboo support framing offers only a touch of privacy, not that you’d need it in the Huasteca potosina jungle.

Ecotourism is an essential subset of tourism, especially in regions like Huasteca potosina–a bountiful, natural oasis in Mexico not well known outside of the country. Ecotourism helps to preserve and sustain natural wonders like Husteca potosina. The cluster of Cocoon Villas from GAS Architectures was designed to immerse visitors in the beauty and adventure of Husteca potosina without disrupting its wilderness.

Designer: GAS Architectures

Neutral beige tones fill out the interior of Cocoon Villas to form a bright, open space during the day.

Outfitted with crescent-shaped pools and a lounge area, each Cocoon Villa would come with its own outdoor deck space.

The cluster of Cocoon Villas forms a tight-knit community.

The decks are oriented in ways so privacy is always accessible.

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There are two types of travelers. Over-packers and those who only require the bare essentials. For the latter, places like the the InBox Capsule Hotel in Saint Petersburg are the perfect pitstop between adventures.

The 24 pint-sized accommodations provide everything you need and not a bit more. Your own personal bed in a box awaits but guests are free to use common kitchen, bathing and lounge areas. While standard rooms may be larger, they can be socially restricting. Here, the atmosphere encourages mixing and mingling with local visitors and other travelers!

Unlike other capsule concepts, which are often stark and sterile, the InBox’s style leans toward the cozy side of industrial. Inviting wooden box rooms provide warmth and security while the rest of the space is clad in black brick and concrete with touches of raw wood seating.

Located in the heart of it all, it’s just a 15-minute walk of Chernyshevskaya Metro Station, the Summer Garden, the Russian Museum, Mikhailovsky Castle and the Field of Mars. To be near these attractions at a standard room hotel, you’d pay loads more – so there’s also saving for going micro!

Designer: DA Architects

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