In the Northern province of Lori, Armenia, the Lori Mountain Retreat, designed by Paul Kaloustian, emerges from the landscape as more than just a hospitality venue; it is an intricate narrative where architecture and nature engage in a seamless dialogue.
Lori Mountain Retreat Technical Information
- Architects1-4: Paul Kaloustian
- Location: Debet, Armenia
- Client: Shahen Melikyan
- Area: 1,500 m2
- Design Year: 2019
- Images: © Paul Kaloustian
The units are meticulously scenographed to create a new landscape that becomes a hybrid of nature and architecture.
– Paul Kaloustian
Lori Mountain Retreat Photographs
Integrating Architecture and Nature
Kaloustian’s design philosophy, evident in the Lori Mountain Retreat, blurs the boundaries between built form and the natural environment. The retreat is situated near the Smart Center, another of Kaloustian’s designs, and similarly respects the pristine surroundings of Debet. The resort comprises a restaurant, reception area, lounge, SPA with an outdoor pool, and 20 suites, each offering an uninterrupted view of the mountainous terrain. This program is not merely a collection of spaces but a choreographed experience designed to immerse the visitor fully into the landscape.
Each suite in the resort is a study of the thoughtful integration of architecture into nature. The units are intentionally scattered across the site like trees or rocks, embodying a randomness that feels organic and unforced. Kaloustian’s design deliberately avoids rigid symmetry, instead opting for a loosely defined yet articulate pattern of forms sheltered under a lightweight, reinforced concrete roof. This roof, seemingly hovering above the suites, adds an element of visual fluidity and lightness, creating an unexpected openness that invites exploration and contemplation.
Creating Communal and Contemplative Spaces
The spaces between the suites are just as important as the suites themselves. These shaded communal areas are human-scaled yet open to the expansive landscape, allowing guests to experience intimacy and vastness simultaneously. This delicate interplay between enclosed and open spaces fosters a connection to nature, urging visitors to discover new perspectives within the landscape.
The careful scenography of the units further emphasizes the design’s poetic nature. Kaloustian makes the architecture disappear into the landscape, turning the retreat into a hybrid of nature and built form. The architecture does not impose itself on the surroundings; instead, it acts as an extension of the environment, encouraging visitors to engage with the natural world on a deeper, more meaningful level.
In the Lori Mountain Retreat, Kaloustian successfully balances architecture and nature. The retreat does not merely offer shelter but creates an experience—a journey through which visitors can reconnect with the elemental forces of the landscape. This project is a testament to the power of architecture to shape physical spaces and emotional and sensory experiences. The Lori Mountain Retreat is more than a destination; it reveals the world’s inherent poetry and sensitivity.
Lori Mountain Retreat Plans
Lori Mountain Retreat Image Gallery
About Paul Kaloustian
Paul Kaloustian studied architecture at A.L.B.A, where he earned the 1st Prize in 1997, and later received his Master’s in Architecture from Harvard Graduate School of Design in 2001. After working at Herzog & de Meuron in Basel, he established his own practice in Beirut. Kaloustian has taught at the Boston Architecture Center and the American University of Beirut and has been honored with the Moukbel Award and the Order of Engineers and Architects Award.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Team: Shoghag Ohannessian, Nathalie Fatte, Viken Khatcherian, Josee Kim Arbajian, Karen Madi
- Structure: Tigran Khachiyan
- MEP: Mangassarian
- Renders: Carl Gerges
