Maqui House originates from an unexpected proximity. Initially commissioned for a site in Frutillar, the project was relocated to Puerto Varas after the original purchase fell through. The new plot, as it turned out, was directly adjacent to the architects’ own home—a familiar landscape shaped by years of observation, memory, and daily life.
This condition of closeness informed the project from the outset. The design draws on an intimate understanding of the site’s light, prevailing winds, and seasonal rhythms, translating this knowledge into a restrained and context-driven architectural response.
The brief called for a home centred on shared life: spaces that encourage gathering, intimacy, and a sense of ease. Rather than relying on formal complexity, the project adopts a clear and legible strategy. An L-shaped volume organises the programme, adapting to the terrain while creating a protected outdoor space. This geometry allows the house to open towards the north—capturing sunlight and long views towards the lake and volcano—while maintaining privacy from adjacent paths.
The organisation of the plan reinforces this clarity. Entry occurs at the inner corner of the L, through a compact wind lobby that mediates the transition from exterior to interior. From here, the kitchen becomes the central space of the house, directly connected to the dining and living areas. These shared spaces extend outward onto a terrace that gradually steps down into the garden and orchard, reinforcing continuity between interior and landscape.
At the opposite end, an elevated barbecue space acts as a secondary social node—more open, yet still anchored to the same spatial logic. It is conceived as a place for informal gatherings, maintaining a constant visual and atmospheric connection to the surroundings.
Materially, the project is grounded in simplicity and local construction practices. A timber frame structure in treated pine sits on a concrete slab, with layered insulation and breathable membranes responding to the climatic demands of southern Chile. The exterior combines corrugated Aluzinc on the lower level with recycled wooden shingles above, referencing the vernacular architecture of the Lake Llanquihue region.
Inside, a restrained palette reinforces spatial continuity. Light-toned porcelain flooring is paired with vertical pine cladding treated with white oil, extending across walls, ceilings, and built-in elements. This consistent material language contributes to a warm and cohesive interior atmosphere.
Maqui House proposes a way of living that is both simple and deliberate. Through precise orientation, controlled openness, and material restraint, the project establishes a quiet dialogue between architecture, landscape, and everyday life.
