6 minute read
Suspended in the Silence: The Future of Remote Retreats
In the heart of Argentine Patagonia, where cliffs plunge into glacier-fed rivers and winds sculpt the landscape, a hospitality concept unlike any other has taken shape, literally on the side of a mountain. OVO Patagonia is not just a place to stay; it’s a destination that reimagines how humans interact with nature. The project suspends guests in sleek, glass-walled capsules anchored to the rock walls of Estancia Bonanza, providing a visceral encounter with the elements.
The concept comes from Ezequiel Ruete and Luis Aparicio, co-founders of Perspectiva Aérea, who have spent over a decade pushing the boundaries of high-altitude architecture.
Driven by a desire to create transformative experiences, the duo assembled a team of experts—from mechanical engineers to mountaineering specialists—to tackle the technical and logistical complexities of building on vertical terrain.
Blending Art, Engineering, and Patagonia’s Wildness
At its core, OVO Patagonia is about harmonising bold design with untouched wilderness. From the start, the team prioritised sustainability, safety, and environmental respect. Each decision, from structural choices to guest access, was guided by the principle of minimising human impact.
Marcos Sturzenbaum, the owner of Estancia Bonanza, played a crucial role in the vision. Having seen similar cliffside stays elsewhere, he was inspired to create something uniquely rooted in Patagonia. “Having encountered similar concepts elsewhere,” the team notes, “he wanted to create something unique, designed specifically for Patagonia’s raw beauty and challenging geography. His goal was not just to offer spectacular views, but to create an experience that made guests feel as if they were truly part of the landscape.”
Designed for the Extremes
Nothing about OVO Patagonia is ordinary. Each capsule was engineered to endure the high winds, variable temperatures, and seismic conditions common in the region. Every element of the structure—from its aerodynamic shell to its anchoring system— was custom-built for the specific rock formation it inhabits. Safety and stability guided every design decision, supported by rigorous testing and on-site analysis.
Bringing the vision to life required not only technical ingenuity but also physical stamina. No roads lead to the cliffside site. Materials were carried by hand across river crossings and narrow bridges, then hoisted up the mountainside by a specially developed gondola system. Weather delays, particularly the fierce Patagonian winds, often limited workable days, stretching the construction timeline across multiple seasons.
Arriving Is Part of the Experience
Accessing the capsules is intentionally immersive. Guests embark on a two-day journey that begins with a suspended footbridge crossing over the Río de las Vueltas. From there, they ride in a 4x4 vehicle to the base of the mountain, followed by a hike through native lenga forests. The final ascent is a ferrata climb—an assisted climbing route with fixed cables and iron rungs— offering a dramatic and physically engaging lead-up to the stay.
Inside each capsule, guests are surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass, with views that stretch across valleys and cliffs. The rear glass wall and a mirrored bathroom enhance the sensation of exposure, placing visitors in direct dialogue with the landscape. It’s an environment designed not only to be looked at, but felt. Whether watching condors glide past the window or waking to fog rolling through the valley below, the connection to place is deeply personal.
Building Lightly on the Land
Sustainability was never an afterthought – it’s embedded in every layer of the project. The capsules themselves are nearly invisible from a distance. Their placement, shape, and material palette allow them to blend with the surrounding geology. No large-scale clearing or construction roads were used. Instead, a narrow footpath was created to limit environmental disturbance, and materials were lifted using non-invasive mechanical systems.
OVO Patagonia’s infrastructure is fully self-contained. Dry composting toilets, gravel-filtered greywater systems, and biodegradable amenities minimise waste. The main operational base incorporates biodigesters and a full composting cycle. These systems are not only environmentally sound but also critical to maintaining comfort and hygiene in such a remote setting.
Guest mobility also follows low-impact principles. All visitors hike to their capsule, helping reduce emissions and protect local flora. This approach not only preserves the landscape but reinforces a sense of journey and respect for the environment.
When to Go and What to Expect
The operating season runs from November to April, timed to avoid the harshest weather.
January typically brings the highest demand, but those in the know often aim for March and April, when the wind calms and the landscape ignites in autumn colour.
The experience is designed to be inclusive. While physically engaging, it doesn’t require technical climbing skills. The combination of hiking, assisted climbing, and remote luxury appeals to a broad audience—from first-time adventurers to seasoned mountaineers.
It offers a rare opportunity for those who dream of high-altitude travel but have never had the chance, as well as experienced climbers looking to spend a night suspended above one of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth.
Setting the Standard for Responsible Travel
Looking ahead, the creators of OVO are exploring ways to grow responsibly, expanding the concept without diluting its environmental principles. For Ruete and Aparicio, this isn’t about scaling up for profit, but about contributing to a broader shift in how tourism operates.
For those looking to enter the world of sustainable hospitality, sustainability must be approached as a longterm commitment rather than a marketing strategy. Thoughtful tourism requires the participation of every stakeholder in a destination, from business owners to guests, to ensure its longevity.
Practicality matters as much as principle.
Conserving water and energy should be a fundamental part of operations, not just an afterthought, and education plays a crucial role in encouraging responsible consumption. Waste reduction is key, particularly in remote locations where disposal and recycling are challenging. In Argentina, where limitations often force businesses to be more resource-conscious, necessity breeds creativity.
A Different Kind of Luxury
In a world where “luxury” often means abundance and excess, OVO Patagonia offers something far rarer: presence, silence, and perspective. It’s a retreat defined not by what it gives you, but by what it strips away: noise, distraction, and the artificial.
“I believe that travel has the power to protect both nature and culture when approached with the right mindset. By giving economic value to natural destinations in their most pristine state, tourism can provide the means for their preservation rather than their destruction. OVO Patagonia is a testament to this philosophy, offering an experience that is as breathtaking as it is responsible, where the connection to nature is not only visual but deeply personal,” concludes Ezequiel Ruete.
