THE RAIN
FOREST
CAMPUSThe heart and soul of Arkana Peru is its
rainforest campus. Located about three hours
outside of Pucallpa in the district of Huanuco,
Arkana Peru is set in virgin rainforest on a
geological wonder of the world: a boiling
river. Possessing remarkable natural beauty and
a huge abundance of plant and animal life, it is
an ideal environment to germinate creative work.
The region is also home to many local and
indigenous communities. Arkana strives to work
in unison with these communities, offering
economic opportunities for work and cultural
exchange whenever possible.
Known as the Shanay-timpiska, in
Quechua (Heated by the Sun), the
thermal river that passes through the
heart of Arkana is a geological wonder
of the world. Research is still being
done about the origins and properties
of this rare and magical river that
travels over two kilometres at near
boiling point.
The Boiling River
Arkana is situated in one of the most
dramatic and ecologically rich
regions of the Amazon. Set in virgin
rainforest in the river sub-basin of the
Ucayali, a main tributary of the Amazon
river in Peru, here you can find an
astonishing variety of rare medicinal
plants and innumerable species of
animals: birds, monkeys, tapirs, deer,
reptiles, insects, and fish.
The Peruvian Amazon jungle is one of
the most biologically diverse areas on
Earth, possessing the third-largest
number of mammals and the largest
number of bird species in the world.
The site of Arkana Peru is set on 13 hectares
of virgin rainforest along the thermal river. It is
here that will unfold our master plan to build a
fully sustainable and ecological school,
structured on biophilic and natural natural
design principles. The first phase of
construction is pending application for a long-
term concession to secure custodianship of
these lands. Building will begin Summer 2018.
The Site
Arkana Peru Site Plan
Clusters of buildings (in orange) can be
seen along the winding thermal river and
represent the Arkana centre: school and
courtyard, live/work studios treehouses
"tambos," residential buildings and
kitchens, workshops, and a ceremonial
sweatlodge.
Arkana's architecture will feature an
integration of traditional and modern
design influences. The nexus and heart
of the centre is a circular school and
meeting place that is inspired by a
maloca or "house of knowledge"
(ceremonial house) in Amazonian
traditional culture. The centre will also
feature an environmental design that is
shaped by indigenous cosmic geography
that allows for interconnection and
collaboration and solitude in nature.
A distinct feature of the Arkana
master plan is the construction of
treehouse live/work studios or
"tambos" distributed throughout
the rainforest. These buildings
allow for both the concentration
and immersion in nature needed
for creative inspiration.
Tambos
Design Precedents for other buildings at Arkana include residential buildings, dining and kitchen spaces, a ceremonial sweatlodge and workshops and ateliers. (see end page for ref)
S A N T U A R I O H U I S H T I NOur closest rainforest partner and
neighbour is traditional plant medicine
centre, Santuario Huishtin (Sanctuary
of Starlight). Owned and operated by
Maestro Santiago Enrrique Paredes
Melendez, vegetalista (plant spirit
shaman), his wife, Ayme Vargas, and
family, Santuario has been the
pilgrammage destination of countless
visitiors from all over the world.
Until Arkana is built, Santuario will be
the base of our operations and
programming. Maestro Santiago is not
only an excellent host but a primary
mentor. While there, Students can
observe the ancient practices of
Amazonian plant medicine and
participate in shamanic ceremonies.
One of Arkana’s most important
missions is conserving the rainforest
and culture of the surrounding region.
Set in one of the oldest oilfields of
Peru, this area is rich in natural
resources, populated by ancient
species of plants, animals, fossils and
mineral deposits.
Tragically, this region is under
immanent threat by deforestation and
contamination and we are striving to
get this area protected. If our land
concession is approved, Arkana Peru
will become custodian of a small but
vital holding along the boiling river
holding and hopefully protect the area
for future generations. Proceeds from
Arkana programming goes directly to
our NGO ARKANA ARTS and this
conservation project.
An Urgent Conservation Project
GETTING
TO USOur headquarters are located in the
bustling Upper Amazonian city of
Pucallpa, on the border with Brazil. To get
to us, travel to the Jorge Chavez airport in
the Peruvian capital, Lima, and take a
one hour connecting flight to Pucallpa
(Captain Rolden airport).
Angela O'Hara, a Canadian artist,
educator, and social entrepreneur, has
been traveling to the Upper Amazon of
Peru for the past six years. Having
originally come to the Amazon to do
fieldwork for her PhD on indigenous
knowledge and visionary methodologies
in creative research, she has
dedicated her life to conserving the rich
culture and ecology of this region and
helping people achieve their creative
potential.
ANGELA
O 'HARA
WE NEED YOU!Do you want immerse yourself in an environment unlike any other on the planet and
be part of something extraordinary?
Arkana Peru seeks creative people (designers, builders, architects, engineers,
gardeners and landscapers and more) to participate in all stages of the building of the
centre, from the design stage to the construction.
Contact us for more information on our programming and how you can get involved.
[email protected] www.arkanaperu.org
SEE YOU IN PERU!