THE SITE
In the old days in Peru the selection of the site for a specific Inca building (use) was the most important action to be taken, only when found the right site is that they follow-up with the intervention which usually was very little in order to produce a great building (Temple of the sun and Temple of the moon in Machu Picchu).
In our days seldom people follow that order usually the “need” comes first and latter the search of the site.
In the case of Pachacamac house I know the order was as in the old days the clients got in love with the site to do something only later on when they learned that it would be the place to spend their last days is that they understood the magnitude of their decision.
Only 40 Km. south of Lima at an undeveloped region near pre-Inca remains is located this small hill surrounded by bigger mountains, perfect site if we follow a Peruvian tradition to always look for a protector or “Apu” in the surroundings. The lack of electricity and water sewage systems in the area helps the visitor find other type of energy transmitted by the place itself which is evident when one walks and feels a special communication with it. This fascinating communication with the earth and its components had been a constant guide for the development of the project.
THE CLIENT
The job of an architect is that of interpreting the dreams of the client, the most interesting the client is the better opportunities the architect has to do his work.
When as an architect one finds himself interpreting philosophy the results come as fascinating unexpected architecture meaning architecture that is difficult to plan before the beginning of construction, one in which many design decisions take place during construction.
The development of this “process” occurs only when the client gives the architect total freedom to design and build.
The clients for the Pachacamac house are a couple of philosophers now discovering spaces in their house which can transport them to their memories both from their past and from their future.
THE GUIDE
The intervention in untouched environment at the coast of Peru, have helped me understand that in order to achieve successful architecture in natural sites, it is fundamental to listen to the environment and to establish a relationship with it, this relationship is similar to any other type of relationships between humans, it can be direct, sophisticated, romantic, respectful, sane or insane.
THE CONCEPT
The response to the site was to bury the house inside the hill, trying to create a balanced dialogue between architecture and landscape, where inside / outside becomes a constant interpretation of materiality with a strong sense of protection and appreciation of the dark and the light.
A glass box sticks out of the hill symbolizing architectural intervention on untouched nature.
EL LUGAR
En el antiguo Perú la selección del lugar era la actividad mas importantes en el proceso de la construcción de una obra de arquitectura, solamente después de hallar el lugar correcto los incas decidían el uso y la intervención del mismo, en esas condiciones generalmente con muy poca intervención se lograban edificios muy bien integrados al entorno. Este es el caso por ejemplo del Templo del Sol y del Templo de la Luna en la zona de Machu Picchu.
En la actualidad muy poca gente sigue esa tradición y por el contrario generalmente la necesidad de un uso y la búsqueda del lugar nunca llegan a encontrarse.
En el caso de la Casa Pachacamac el orden fue como en los viejos tiempos es decir los clientes encontraron el lugar y las circunstancias hicieron que este sea el sitio perfecto para pasar sus años de jubilación.
Este pequeño cerro rodeado de montañas esta ubicado a solo 40 kilómetros al sur de Lima en una zona rural cerca de restos arqueológicos PRE Incas donde la falta de energía eléctrica, agua y desagüe hacen del lugar el perfecto escenario para intentar la búsqueda de una arquitectura peruana contemporánea.
EL CLIENTE
Siendo el trabajo del arquitecto aquel de interpretar los sueños del cliente podría decirse que las oportunidades de diseño van en proporción directa a lo interesante que resulte el usuario.
Cuando uno como arquitecto se encuentra interpretando filosofía através de sus clientes, llega resultados gratamente inesperados.
EL CONCEPTO
La respuesta de intervención en el lugar fue la de “enterrar” la casa en el cerro, tratando de crear un dialogo equilibrado entre arquitectura y paisaje, donde las relaciones del afuera y el adentro se convierten en una interpretación constante de la materialidad de la obra apreciando através de la luz y la oscuridad el sentido de protección y albergue de la casa.