STELLAR HOUSE AT KHALIFA CITY
Essay by Arch. Eric Bogantes / September 2021
Introduction
On Friday, August 27, 2021, at 10 PM, a unique event unfolded at Hotel Villa Caletas, Playa Herradura, Central Pacific, Costa Rica.
The American organizer, Lee Johnson, planned a Burning Man-inspired party in one of America’s most exclusive events. Perched on a mountain with breathtaking panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, the hotel offers the perfect tropical setting. Its elevation allows an unmatched visual perception of the jungle, the ocean, and the horizon, with the sun setting directly over the sea. Exotic wildlife like parrots, monkeys, and toucans appear in the living spectacle.
The event, Ritual Clandestino, drew a diverse crowd: DJs, locals, international visitors, and friends from all over the world gathered to share in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Over the next 12 hours, the hotel became a dynamic, multi-sensory space with five surprise environments, each offering its unique atmosphere and soundtrack.
My friends and I spent six hours exploring these spaces, from the main hall to the cloud-filled room and the square overlooking the sea. Every venue had a unique vibe, featuring comfortable seating and a new musical journey. It was a night where art, sound, and nature blended into an unforgettable celebration.
Ritual Clandestino
The Ritual Clandestino was more than just a party; it was a transformative, mystical experience. Guests, adorned in special clothing, embarked on an adventure that would mark their lives forever. The night became a journey of discovery, where music, light, and space converged into an act of spiritual and sensory exploration. The essence of the event was not just the celebration of music and art but the creation of a sacred, shared experience.
The design of the spaces invoked the spirit of different cultural traditions. The lounge areas resembled the traditional Arab Majlis, while the Burning Man style brought an element of creative freedom and exploration. The hotel’s Greek architectural style seamlessly merged with the mysticism of Costa Rica, evoking a connection to the pre-Columbian indigenous cultures of the region. The experience became a holistic reflection of universal energy, a reminder of the spiritual dimensions of existence.
"Walking through Stellar House feels like moving through a moment frozen in time, a representation of universal energy. It embodies a state of mind that helps us realize that, regardless of our actions or beliefs, it is not worth enduring suffering over any idea."
Concept: Stellar House
The Stellar House concept emerged as an exploration of universal energy and cosmic beauty. We exist within a frequency of space that shapes the world we perceive. Quantum physics has proven the existence of parallel universes, all happening simultaneously. Beneath our skin is an energetic space as real as our material world. As beings of light, we can coexist within this mystical space, bridging the physical and spiritual realms.
The attraction between matter and antimatter, the dance of galaxies, and the vastness of time all point to one unifying truth: the universe is infinitely greater than our individual lives. Time is a fleeting dimension in this grand visual universe, and in the face of such vastness, human suffering, despair, and sadness become minuscule. The Stellar House embodies this understanding; it is a place of contemplation where one can experience the sublime beauty of the cosmos and the limitless creative energy of the universe.
The Big Bang, the origin of all energy and matter, symbolizes the most intense force of creation. Stellar House aims to capture the essence of this energy, preserving it in an eternal moment of beauty. It is an attempt to photograph the energy of interstellar space, freezing time in a state of cosmic wonder.
To traverse the Stellar House is to journey through a suspended moment in time, a space where universal energy flows freely. It encourages us to let go of the burdens of thought and suffering and reminds us that our individual struggles are but fleeting moments in the vast, creative expanse of the universe.
Design Components
The design of Stellar House starts with a dense, spherical center, representing the core of celestial bodies in space. The spheres symbolize strength and geological reactions, and in Costa Rica, they also evoke the large, hand-carved rock spheres created by indigenous cultures. These spheres are among the most significant archaeological discoveries in the region, and their geometric precision points to a deep connection with the cosmos and a desire to understand one’s place in the universe.
The materials of Stellar House were carefully chosen to reflect the immensity and beauty of the cosmos. The exterior is coated in light-colored concrete, symbolizing the invisible gravitational forces that govern celestial bodies. A circular water radius surrounds the house, representing the orbits of planetary satellites.
One of the most exceptional design elements is “marble plates,” inspired by my visit to the Antolini marble factory in Italy in 2018. There, I first encountered the limitless possibilities of marble as a material. The factory’s hidden underground museum showcased the most creative uses of marble, from large-scale installations to exquisite bathrooms and spa spaces. This experience profoundly influenced my vision for Stellar House, where marble is a complementary material, symbolizing elegance and the universe’s timelessness.
Incorporating Arab grids into the design adds another layer of meaning. These intricate cloths have been used in Arab architecture for centuries to control light and create visual depth. In Stellar House, the grids represent the cosmic force that permeates the space, creating geometric patterns as it interacts with the fabric.
Conclusion
Stellar House is a product of mystical inspiration, a fusion of art, architecture, and cosmic philosophy. It is a space where time stands still, allowing visitors to experience the beauty of the universe in its purest form. Through this architectural design, we contemplate the vastness of existence and our place within it. The Stellar House is a space to feel, share, and appreciate the universal beauty that transcends the boundaries of time and space.
