House C is set within a rural landscape to the southwest of Coyhaique, on a gently sloping 5,000 m² site. Strategically positioned, the project seeks to harmonize architectural design with the natural features of the terrain, while framing sweeping views of Mount Mackay—one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
The design brief envisioned a home that would follow the sun’s path, distinctly separate social and private functions, and draw inspiration from the traditional barn structures typical of Patagonia. The result is a composition of two gabled volumes, arranged perpendicularly to one another:
The private wing accommodates bedrooms, bathrooms, and a connecting hallway, carefully oriented to ensure privacy and a strong visual connection with the natural surroundings.
The social and service wing, oriented toward the main access, houses practical spaces such as parking, storage, and a utility room, as well as an open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area. This central space features generous proportions, a soaring ceiling, and exposed lenga wood rafters that enhance the sense of openness, daylight access, and mountain views.
A transparent bridge links both volumes, extending the hallway and creating a fluid transition between spaces, while maintaining each zone’s autonomy.
Materiality plays a key role in anchoring the house to its context. The construction employs a combination of SIP panels and timber framing, ensuring both thermal performance and structural efficiency. Cladding materials include untreated rough lenga wood—sourced from local sawmills—offering a raw beauty that evolves over time with natural oxidation, and black pre-painted corrugated zinc, which lends a quiet simplicity in tune with the surrounding rural architecture.
Large-format glazing ensures ample solar gain and uninterrupted views, particularly in the social areas, where high ceilings and generous windows bring warmth and light throughout the day—crucial in Coyhaique’s cold climate.
House C emerges as a thoughtful architectural response that weaves together tradition, functionality, and a deep respect for place. It celebrates the beauty of the Patagonian landscape while offering its inhabitants comfort, warmth, and a sense of belonging.
Materials Used:
Arauco: Structural beams
Aysen recircular: SIP panels
Instapanel: Black pre-painted corrugated zinc
Deceuninck: Black PVC windows
Cintac: Steel profiles
Masisa: Melamine boards
DIB: Vinyl flooring
Ducasse: Sliding and folding carts
Yale: Locks
FDV: Cooktop, oven, kitchen faucet, range hood, dishwasher
Teka: Shower tray
Stretto: Faucet and vanity
