Limited tickets remaining: Dwell Open House Los Angeles
SubscribeSign In
Project posted by Nico Saieh

Hats House by SAA arquitectura + territorio

View 15 Photos
Location
“An important part of the work was to design large common spaces, and to be able to receive a large number of people,” note the architects. “The common spaces are designed for the coexistence between family and friends.”
“An important part of the work was to design large common spaces, and to be able to receive a large number of people,” note the architects. “The common spaces are designed for the coexistence between family and friends.”
Local carpenters built the furnishings.
Local carpenters built the furnishings.
Large decks and walls of glass blur the boundaries between indoor/outdoor living.
Large decks and walls of glass blur the boundaries between indoor/outdoor living.
The challenges posed by the remote terrain were a tradeoff for the site’s spellbinding beauty. The Santiago-based client selected a spot on the shores of the largest lake in Patagonia, Lake General Carrera, for its turquoise-blue waters, snow-capped granite mountains, and glittering glaciers in the distance.
The challenges posed by the remote terrain were a tradeoff for the site’s spellbinding beauty. The Santiago-based client selected a spot on the shores of the largest lake in Patagonia, Lake General Carrera, for its turquoise-blue waters, snow-capped granite mountains, and glittering glaciers in the distance.
A long hallway connects the bedrooms and overlooks views of the lake.
A long hallway connects the bedrooms and overlooks views of the lake.
The foundations were anchored directly into bedrock.
The foundations were anchored directly into bedrock.
Since the remote site and harsh climate made access to supplies and labor difficult, the architects used prefabricated materials and construction methods.
Since the remote site and harsh climate made access to supplies and labor difficult, the architects used prefabricated materials and construction methods.
The view from the master bedroom deck down the length of the house.
The view from the master bedroom deck down the length of the house.
The architects created a simple, shed-like refuge so as to not detract from the surrounding environment.
The architects created a simple, shed-like refuge so as to not detract from the surrounding environment.
Set on the shores of Patagonia's largest lake, Casa Sombreros is located near the village of Puerto Rio Tranquilo, four hours south of Aysen Region's capital of Coyhaique.
Set on the shores of Patagonia's largest lake, Casa Sombreros is located near the village of Puerto Rio Tranquilo, four hours south of Aysen Region's capital of Coyhaique.
Casa Sombreros comprises two interconnected, rectangular volumes parallel to the lake. The larger volume contains the living spaces and extends northwards to capture natural light.
Casa Sombreros comprises two interconnected, rectangular volumes parallel to the lake. The larger volume contains the living spaces and extends northwards to capture natural light.

Credits

Posted by
Architect
SAA arquitectura + territorio
Sergio Araneda
Builder
Juan Mena
Hugo Hidd
Sergio Araneda
Clients
Photographer

From Nico Saieh

The assignment consists of a one-family home located on the banks of Lake General Carrera near the village of Puerto Rio Tranquilo, located 4 hours south of Coyhaique along the Austral Highway in the Aysén Region of Chilean Patagonia.

From the beginning and given the siting conditions, the design had to resolve two primary requirements. First, the client requested that the project consider the characteristics of Patagonian buildings and, second, take into account the adverse conditions that affect construction in this type of region: remoteness, difficult access to and frequent lack of supply of materials, a harsh working climate and a far-away labor pool.

The house was designed structurally with industrial and prefabricated materials, organizing the stages of construction into a 5 month building program. Foundations were anchored directly to bedrock. The structural supports consist of pillars, beams and steel window frames. The floors, walls and roof are SIP panels. The details are done in native wood, using the techniques and styles inherent to local carpentry.

The house is arranged in two pavilions laid out parallel to the lake with a northeast orientation, one in front of the other and spaced to maximize the eastern view and natural light. The closest to the lake, which features the common areas, extends northwards, capturing the entire arc of natural light. Behind it, the private area faces south, distributing the bedrooms along a lengthy hallway that overlooks the lake. Joining the two pavilions tangentially is a room adjacent to the kitchen/dining area that can be opened or closed off by a large sliding wall.

Aysen’s Patagonian landscape is defined by the immensity of nature in relation to the minute density of constructions imposed upon it. The project aspires to the timeless by way of resolving the exterior cladding with a single material, the lenga shingle, a finish which binds the house to local building tradition. In this sense, the house proposes a simple footprint, which given its remote geographical location helps it blend in along with any old shed even while the architectural detail enriches the concept of a refuge by revealing its constructive will toward amplitude and transparency achieved through the steel and glass enclosing an interior which, immersed in nature, blends in instead of standing out.