Tunquén, V Región, Chile
Loi Arquitectos
Post By:Kitticoon Poopong
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| Photo © Courtesy of Marcos Mendizabal |
The house is located in Tunquén, a coastal area in the central region of Chile, in a 5000 m2 site overlooking the sea.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Marcos Mendizabal |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Marcos Mendizabal |
The access of the site is located in the lower part, so you enter with your back to the sea. The house is located in the upper part, in order to get the best views towards the ocean. The area is a semi-dry region, with native trees and a strong and cold wind from the south-east. The orientation of the site is south, so the main views towards the landscape are to the south (This is the south hemisphere, so the sun comes always from the north).
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| Photo © Courtesy of Marcos Mendizabal |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Marcos Mendizabal |
The sunlight comes from the north, the upper part of the site, opposite to the main views of the site. This geographic situation determines the design, because the house must be open or transparent to the south to get the views, but it must also be open to the north light coming from the “rear” part of the house.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Marcos Mendizabal |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Marcos Mendizabal |
In order to achieve this, the design is based in three parts:
- A reticular structure of wood columns and beams as the base for the scheme, which contains the exterior spaces of the house (entrance and terraces)
- Three volumes inside this grid containing the main areas of the house (living space and bedrooms). By being greater in height, this three spaces gain light from the “rear” part of the site.
- Three service volumes (kitchen and bathrooms) linked with each of the three main spaces of the house.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Marcos Mendizabal |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Marcos Mendizabal |
This scheme also solves the client needs: he wanted an integrated living-dinning-kitchen space, an exterior terrace protected from the wind, a main bedroom and a second one separated for acoustic and privacy needs.
This configuration of the main three volumes generates three intermediate semi-interior-exterior spaces: terrace, access and separation space between the two bedrooms.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Marcos Mendizabal |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Marcos Mendizabal |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Marcos Mendizabal |
The terrace is protected from the wind by wooden blinds, by a big laminated glass, and by an existing tree. The protection against the strong summer sun is achieved by inclined beams that only allow winter sunrays to pass.
The living area volume has a complete double height in order to get the sun light, and also protects laterally the terrace from the south-east wind. The dining and kitchen area are located one step above the living area, avoiding its furnishings from blocking the views.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Marcos Mendizabal |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Marcos Mendizabal |
The guests bedroom takes advantage of its greater height by placing a small attic containing a bed for the children. The interior corridor of the house also gets the north light through the space that separates the two bedrooms.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Marcos Mendizabal |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Marcos Mendizabal |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Marcos Mendizabal |
The house is built completely in pine wood, with a dark exterior varnish.
In addition, a guests cabin was built completely separated from the main house, connected by a pedestrian path.
Description from the Architects:
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| site plan--drawing © Courtesy of Loi Arquitectos |
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| ground floor plan--drawing © Courtesy of Loi Arquitectos |
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| high ceilings plan--drawing © Courtesy of Loi Arquitectos |
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| section AA'--drawing © Courtesy of Loi Arquitectos |
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| section BB'--drawing © Courtesy of Loi Arquitectos |
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| section CC'--drawing © Courtesy of Loi Arquitectos |
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| section DD'--drawing © Courtesy of Loi Arquitectos |
Project Data
Project name: Rodríguez-Harvey House
Location: Tunquén, V Región, Chile
Program: Single family house
Site: 5.000 m2
Build Area: 139 m2
Project: 2007
Construction: 2008-2009
The people
Architects: Loi Arquitectos
Client: Nelson Rodríguez Harvey
Photographs: ©
Marcos Mendizabal
Note>>Location in this map, It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
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