A striking new residential project in Cachipay, Colombia, demonstrates how contemporary architecture can seamlessly integrate with its natural surroundings while maintaining respect for the environment. The Nola Cabin, designed by Yemail Arquitectura and completed in 2024, spans 131 square meters and represents a thoughtful approach to sustainable design that prioritizes harmony between built structures and the existing landscape.
The architectural firm, led by Antonio Yemail and Jimmi Palacio, developed the project around a fundamental philosophy that considers ethics as the foundation of good design. This approach involves careful consideration of every natural element present on the site, from the body of water that sits in front of the structure to the soil and its microscopic inhabitants, the patterns of morning and afternoon light, and even the possibility of allowing trees to traverse the space without disturbing birds' nests or compromising the optimal conditions for gazing at the sky through the forest canopy.
The design concept emerges from the architects' belief that architecture, as a physical phenomenon, has the power to enhance human imagination and experience. The team began their design process by examining the language of the existing large stones on the site, seeking to find the best possible conditions to create meaningful relationships between the structure and all elements of the surrounding landscape. This careful analysis of the natural context became the driving force behind every design decision.
Casa Nola represents a delicate balance between the practical need to adapt to the environment and the creative desire to work harmoniously with the available natural energy. The architects deliberately chose to create an architecture with specific weight and substance, avoiding picturesque elements that might feel artificial or imposed upon the landscape. Instead, they developed a design that allows itself to be permeated by natural elements and the inherent force of its surroundings, establishing what they describe as "a pact with simplicity."
The spatial experience of the cabin is carefully choreographed to engage the human body in various ways throughout the structure. The architects focused on creating opportunities for ascending, descending, floating, lying down, entering, and exiting, deliberately discussing the relative positions of the body in space. This conscious approach to movement and natural order manifests in practical ways: residents and visitors move around the large existing stone formations, find shelter within a massive block of fired clay, walk on the accessible roofs, and extend their activities across the outdoor terrace.
The construction utilizes locally-sourced materials, with fired clay bricks serving as the primary building material. This choice not only supports local craftsmanship and reduces environmental impact but also ensures that the structure ages gracefully within its natural context. The brick construction creates substantial thermal mass that helps regulate interior temperatures naturally, reducing the need for mechanical climate control systems.
According to the architects, the true charm of architecture lies in its ability to be inhabited by both natural elements and people simultaneously. The design succeeds when it understands space as a sequence of experiences that includes transit and pause, movement and rest. The construction responds almost unconsciously to the geography of the place, working in harmony with the natural rhythms of light throughout the day, the presence of water features, and the possibility for native vegetation to permeate the structure without resistance.
The project demonstrates how contemporary residential architecture can achieve sustainability not through technological solutions alone, but through a fundamental respect for existing natural systems. By working with rather than against the landscape, the Nola Cabin creates a living environment that enhances both human experience and ecological health, setting a valuable example for future sustainable development in Colombia and beyond.
