Our Focus series shines the spotlight on the details: the extraordinary materials, spaces, and ideas that take great projects to the next level.

Nestled in a dense, native forest in southern Chile’s Los Ríos region, this dwelling by Hebra Arquitectos is designed to immerse the homeowners in the surrounding woods—a bit like a tree house.

The couple—a psychologist and a sculptor—initially commissioned the project as a vacation house while they were living in Santiago during the height of the pandemic. When they realized that they could continue working remotely, they decided to make it their full-time home.

Huacho House’s upper level provides views of the surrounding forest. " layout="wide" credit="Photo by Marcos Zegers" photoUserId="6545361713771855872"/>

Architects Simón Pérez, Vicente Cubillos, and Esteban Cubillos designed the residence with an H-shaped plan in order to satisfy three main objectives: to avoid humidity, harness natural light, and provide immersive views of the surrounding forest.

Since the region is seismically active, the team built two reinforced concrete cores to brace the structure and host ground-level workspaces. Then, they erected 100-by-100-millimeter metal pillars in a four-by-four-meter grid to lift the living areas high above the forest floor.

The glass-encased home lights up like a lantern at night." layout="wide" credit="Photo by Marcos Zegers" photoUserId="6545361713771855872"/>

The architects say that they used metal for the framework and staircases “to keep the structural expression as slender as possible.” The sleek silhouette is accented with locally sourced wood cladding, which visually connects the home to the surrounding forest. Banks of windows wrap around the upper level, while clerestories set beneath the V-shaped roof bring in additional natural light.

The bedrooms and common areas are separated into two distinct wings connected by a window-flanked, wood-clad bridge. The home’s elevated stance and extensive glazing make it feel almost lighter than air, while filling the interior with forest views for days.

More Focus stories:

It’s Always Springtime in This Serene Thai Home With an Indoor Tree

This Culinary Couple’s Kitchen Is Designed Around One Essential Gadget

This Off-Grid Design Studio Feels Like It’s Floating in a Forest

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Hebra Arquitectos / @ebra_arquitectos

Structural Engineer: Pedro Valenzuela