In this post we are taking a look at perhaps one of the most advanced and trail blazing eco lodges in Colombia. Kasaguadua is a nature reserve that would be at the very top of the Eco category. It experiments with architecture, teaches visitors about the environment and if you stay there, you have to adhere to have to apply before hand to ensure you are not on medicines which will disrupt the sewerage system which is made up of living organisms that break down waste.
Grab a coffee, and walk with us into the Andean rainforest to discover this remarkable eco lodge in Salento Colombia, Kasaguadua.
Backpacking Colombia
What is Kasaguadua
Kasaguadua is a nature reserve/eco-lodge that puts sustainability at the heart of everything it does. The owners play with interesting architectural designs, materials, and forms that leave a minimal footprint in the rainforest but still cater to a contemporary life. The site is set across 12 hectares and seeks to preserve the Andean rainforest. The site is surrounded by natural springs, there is a plethora of wildlife and flora to explore. The site seeks to embody Buddhist practices and is part of the Buddhist Practice of the Soto-Zen Community of Colombia.
Our day trip to the eco lodge and nature reserve
The great news is that if you are not staying at Kasaguadua, you can still visit, this is exactly the tact we took as frankly I did not know the place existing until arriving into Salento. Having spoken to a couple of backpackers over breakfast, they advised a trip down to the reserve as they 'learned a lot' from their tour. They gave me a time to head across as the tours run at the same time each day.
After breakfast at the Coffee Tree Boutique Hostel (also highly recommended) on an ordinary Wednesday morning I walked West out of Salento along Salento-Vda. Palestina. After 20-30 minutes, you will find a discrete handmade wooden gate with a small metal canopy on a U bend. The gate is not overly inviting and has no intercom so arriving a little before time, I simply took a seat on the ground and hoped for the best. A few additional people turned up and after a quick nervous 'Are you here for the Kasaguadua tour?' we all felt comfortable that we were in the right place. At the allocated time (12:30) a gentleman appeared at the other side of the gate, unlocked it, and introduced himself as one of the owners, Carlos.
Carlos has a smile and manner that instantly brought the group together and took us through what we were about to do. A circular hike, starting at the gate, going through the jungle, past some recycled material structures being produced by Kasaguadua. Then down to a hand-built home on the footprint of an existing building before continuing down into the rain forest following the circular path around, popping out at a clearing giving views across the valley finally returning to the wooden gate. Making sure we were all happy and fit (you need to be of average fitness to undertake the hike) we all set off.
Within 100 meters of starting it was clear this would be a very informative and enriching journey. Carlos immediately went into deep detail about the area, the project, how it was conceived, and what their ambitions are for the future.
As we continued, Carlos stopped regularly to point out views across the valley and various flora of interest and further asked us if we had questions.
The path took us through quite a narrow trail with some small bridges to cross and various flora to duck and weave around. Before long we can out to a clearing where Carlos showed us the
dodecahedron buildings they had been working on, built with recycled materials and "Guadua" (indigenous bamboo), extracted from the rain forest.
These small lodges are used by tourists. We were lucky enough to see the skeleton of one of the 'experimental' lodges, you can see the orange framework below which is made from recycled plastics below.
The predecessors of the recycled plastic are made from bamboo (middle photo below) and are clad with corrugated metal roofing and timber or polycarbonate infill panels for walls, these are then painted to provide a weather shield and a bit of individuality.
Joints of the structures are created using dense plastic corner pieces seen in the leftmost image. All the dodecahedrons are elevated above the rainforest floor minimising the impact and footprint of the structure on the ground. If the structures were to be removed, just four contact points would be evidence of their existence. You can see the recycled material allows for the legs to be dug in whereas the timber legs require an elevated platform to help prevent rot and decay.
If we analyse this from the legs of the structure up. The bamboo legs reach down to the ground much like the vines or trunk of the surrounding jungle, and the timber exoskeleton with its pentagon sides and bracings feel random and natural. The timber infill panels painted allow for creativity but in the middle image above the chosen green acts as a blending colour to the rainforest beyond. The impact of the structures in this environment feels minimal and given their shapes, they become items of curiosity that you want to engage with.
The green metal roofing is left for moss to grow, acting as a dappled canopy for the lodges. The creativity and fun of these structures are to be admired, let us know if you like them.
Thermally these structures would not be up to par in many countries but in this climate where the average temperate is around 26 degrees shelter from the wind can provide enough protection for a cosy night.
The good points picked up, let's briefly touch upon the use of recycled plastic on the experimental lodge. One argument could be that the orange exoskeleton is much less maintenance, more durable, and has better longevity than its bamboo/ timber counterparts. However, it could also be looked at as an unnatural material in an eco-environment. We would argue that if the area were ever abandoned for any reason, evidence of these recycled plastic elements would be there for thousands of years. This is a very harsh criticism, and the repurpose and use of previously discarded materials should in many cases be championed; just does bringing man-made materials into the rainforest recycled or not have a place!? Let us know what recycling and repurposing in the built environment means to you.
To the eco lodge
A short walk past the lodges and you come to what looks like a more 'traditional home' The home was built on an existing concrete footprint. The design intention was to replicate what was already on site with modern touches to allow for contemporary spaces. This home is built by hand using brick, timber, and metal and is the main 'communal' space for those staying at the lodge. It has a kitchen, bathrooms, and some intimate dining, reading, and breakout spaces.
The final walk around the rainforest
Having visited the house Carlos took us back to the trail and walked us further around the rainforest giving vast amounts of information on the rainforest the flora and wildlife. The walk itself was rewarding even without the addition of the education we were being given. After around an hour, we found ourselves back at the entrance gate where the tour ended. Feeling enriched the group left happy, with coffee plantations in the area, half of us even split off spit off together to go and grab some lunch before exploring Salento further.
So why is this eco lodge in Salento so important?
Kasaguadua shows the importance of deep thinking about an eco-lodge beyond the standard footprint of a home, the site plays with elevated and irregular forms that allow us to ask questions about how we inhabit and create spaces in a rainforest. The preservation and restoration of the 12-hectare site creates an otherworldly environment. Combining this with the learning experience from passionate guides, one leaves the area feeling enriched environmentally, artistically, and educationally. For me, this embodies one of the most important reasons to travel, simply to learn.
I want to go, how do I get there?
You can tour the site (by appointment only) but is free! A donation amount is recommended if you enjoyed the tour as the entrance is restricted and if you want to stay, there are specific requirements that have to be adhered to before attending so make sure to make your reservations in advance. For more information check out the website below.
You can find costs for your stay and additional photos on booking.com
I did not stay but I did do the tour, if we were to go back, it would be on the top of our list for an unforgettable experience.
For the curious explorer
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