From the architect –
The location is a coastline of cliffs, 10 kilometers long and 200 metres high where buildings have never existed. People from this zone have always harvested “cochayuyo” (Chilean seaweed) and seafood. Access to the beach is made by difficult paths which take a long time to traverse.
The house is located on a special point of the cliff. There are fractions to the west, east and north of the house, generating an island situation.
The house was projected in a 3,2 meters x 3,2 meters wooden modules where all the skeleton (beams and columns) are visible. The whole skeleton is impregnated with black carbolineum and the cladding of the walls in dark brown. The interiors were worked with white walls and ceilings. The floor is made of wood. The construction was considered in a simple way, only with local wood and labor.
Two bedrooms, the living room, dining room and the kitchen share the same ambiance. During the day, these rooms dialogue and generate a pretty flexible use. At night, big doors can be moved and provide privacy to the bedrooms.
The volume is 6 x 12 meters big. To the west, north and south side, terraces were designed to take advantage of the different intensities of the sun. In these terraces we used 2”x6” slats, and 2” separate from each other. This gives texture to the shadows. On the roof, there is a 100% sunny terrace.
To the south, there is a “cuba”, a jacuzzi, where the water is warmed with fire. This cuba is connected with a ramp to a guest house.
The site is very strong, to the west the pacific ocean from a very high point of view. To the north, south and east orientations, there is view of the cliffs.
Architects: WMR Arquitectos
Location: El Arco, Navidad, Libertador General Bernardo O’Higgins Region, Chile
Photographs: Sergio Pirrone