When Hebra Arquitectos set about building this home in the foothills of the Andes, they knew that its success would hinge upon capturing the beauty of the land.

The homeowner is a multidisciplinary artist who sculpts metal and shapes stoneware, and she sought to build a vacation home where she could work and gather with her loved ones in nature. “She wanted this to be a place where she could invite friends to rest, craft, cook, and hike together,” says architect and founding partner Simon Perez. “Her plan was to live in nature, and work on ceramics.”

The site is located where the peaks of the Andes flow into hills covered in Chilean myrtle and Patagonian oak trees. “It’s a rural area just east of Lago Ranco,” Perez says.

Perez and his team initially planned a home in two parts: one structure for the common areas and primary suite, and another strictly for guests. But just as the owner knows the limits of clay and metal, the team soon realized that the project had to adapt to the challenges of its site.

“There was a lot of loose rock as a result of an avalanche that occurred years ago,” Perez says. “In order to avoid making very deep excavations, we decided to change our approach and build the house on two floors. We also decided to cover the ground floor with stones, in order to remind us of this rocky terrain.”

The L-shaped home follows the contours of the site, making it stable during earthquakes while maximizing views in nearly every direction. The common areas and primary suite are tucked away on the upper level overlooking the treetops and hills to the south. On the other side of the home, an excavated slope ensures that the ground-floor bedrooms and bathrooms receive light from the north.

The ground floor is made of stone and reinforced concrete, while the upper level is clad in oak planks charred using the shou sugi ban technique. “As for the roof, we met two sides of the structure at the highest point, and then lowered the remaining sides to form a triangle,” Perez explains. “The volume is primarily horizontal and demure, further blending the structure into the trees.”

The same Patagonian oak used on the exterior covers the ceiling above the dining area, living room, and kitchen—uncharred in this application—while the floors are made from eucalyptus. White cabinetry and countertops pop against the wood grain, and a black fireplace adds a moody note alongside the matching window frames. A balcony spans the entirety of the common areas, drawing guests outside.

“The neutrality and lightness of the interiors allow the attention to go toward the tops of the trees that appear in to the south, as well as the hills to the north,” Perez says.

Hebra Arquitectos completed the project at the end of 2021 after a year of construction, and Perez is proud of the way it all came together. “On one hand, the home is modern because of its geometry,” he says. “But on the other hand, we used native wood and stone—all materials were taken from this place. It has a closeness to the region.”

More projects by Hebra Arquitectos:

A T-Shaped Cabin Hugs a Forested Hillside in Chile

This Wood, Glass, and Metal Cabin Hovers Above the Forest Floor in Chile

A Cabin Springs Up Above a Dry Creek Bed in a Chilean Forest

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Hebra Arquitectos / @hebra_arquitectos

Builder: Madre Tierra

Structural Engineer: Pedro Valenzuela

Appears In

In the Foothills of the Andes, a Ceramicist Fires Up a Creative Retreat