[ Nicolás Loi ] Rodríguez Harvey House

Architect: Nicolas Loi – Loi Arquitectos
Location: Tunquén, V Región, Chile
Site Area: 5,000 sqm
Project Area: 139 sqm
Design Year: 2007
Construction Year: 2008-2009
Photographs: Marcos Mendizabal

The house is located in Tunquén, a costal area in the central region of Chile, in a 5.000 sq.m. site overlooking the sea. The acces 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). 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. In order to achieve this, the design is based in three parts:

1. 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)

2. Three volumes inside this grid containing the main areas of the house (living space and bedrooms). By being greater un height, this three spaces gain light from the “rear”part of the site.

3. Three service volumes (kitchen and bathrooms) linked with each of the three main spaces of the house.

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.

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.

The gests 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.

The house is built completely in pine wood, with a dark exterior varnish.

In adition, a gests cabin was built completely separated from the main house, connected by a pedestrian path.

from  archdaily