Talk about embracing the outdoors. When a couple with two young children approached architect Lucas Maino Fernandez to build a wooded retreat in Molco, a vacation destination known for its natural beauty, Fernandez took the opportunity to place nature at the center of the design.

The home wraps around a central courtyard, where untouched flora is on full display through continuous floor-to-ceiling windows. Two hallways flank the perimeter of the plan: One leads from a carport at the entry into the living and dining areas, and, on the opposite side, the other leads from the living area up to the bedrooms situated above the carport.

The living area benefits from views of both the trees within and the exterior forest, resulting in an airy and open communal space. The bedrooms in the upper volume are walled off to the interior, but capture external forest views of their own.

The husband of the family, a civil works builder, took on the roll of contractor, and communicated with Fernandez on plans using hand drawings. The house consists of simple, pared-down materials—pine, steel, and pre-painted zinc plates—and though it has a bold presence, it is inserted sensitively into the remarkable landscape.

Related Reading:

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A Chilean Cabin Rises Amidst Ancient Trees in the Andes Mountains

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Lucas Maino Fernandez / @lucasmaino

Builder/General Contractor: Cristobal Gutierrez