In 1998, our first house won the Grand Prize at the Pan-American Biennial. Among works from various countries, this small house caught the jury's attention due to its original construction system and its sensitive relationship with the landscape. Architect Fernando Castillo Velasco gave us the news and invited us to celebrate at his home.
Shortly after graduating, a cousin of our partner Mirene contacted her to design a cabin on Lake Pirihueico. This marked the beginning of an adventure that, even after all these years, remains one of the most memorable moments in the history of elton_léniz.
We traveled to the south, arriving by boat at the location. With machetes in hand, we ventured into the native forest and chose where the house would be situated, at the edge of the lake where the sheltered forest meets the open landscape. It was a magical place.
Mirene's cousin owned a factory that produced plywood panels. We were excited to design a modular project where his panels were integrated into a wooden framework of beams and columns. For the exterior, we chose waterproof red panels to withstand the rain and harmonize with the forest's greenery, while for the interior, we used wood veneer panels to create an atmosphere akin to inhabiting a piece of furniture.
We built the house with just two master carpenters. We created special plans to help them understand this new construction system. Site visits were epic, sometimes requiring us to arrive by boat, while other times the area was covered in snow or the forest threatened to reclaim the narrow path. This first house, full of anecdotes, the trust of our client, and the craftsmanship of the carpenters were all integral to our beginnings.
