An Oasis at Paranal

The exterior of the Paranal Residencia, where staff and visitors reside close to ESO's Paranal Observatory, blends in perfectly with the surrounding landscape of Chile's Atacama Desert. The inside, however, is a stark contrast. 

This is a true "oasis" away from the harsh desert environment. The Residencia contains a small garden and a swimming pool, allowing a much cooler and more comfortable retreat from the Atacama, which is one of the driest locations on Earth.