Casa Prat-Valdés | ERRE Arquitectos

The land for which the project was commissioned is positioned in a second theoretical line
with respect to the sea, so one of the client's requests was to find visual sources towards
the coast. For this, it was proposed that the entire house be suspended on the natural
terrain through a structure of pillars and wooden diagonals, the meters needed to achieve
the goal.

It was also determined that the exterior areas are freely passable and that the house does not stand between these circulations, for which reason it was devised that it be positioned along and parallel to the west boundary about 4 meters. In this way, an intentional visual direction of the entire common area of the house towards the sea would also be generated, in addition to connecting it with what would be the main recreation patio, designed in the flattest area of the land.

As a consequence of the erection of the house, a large living space was released and generated in the entire lower area of the common enclosure and part of the private area at ground level, where a module for a cellar and laundry room was projected, in addition to contemplating a barbecue area with bathroom to do in a second stage.

Another of the project strategies of the design was to protect itself from the west wind and protect the privacy of the residents of that boundary through a totally hermetic south façade, where only a walkway would be considered that would lead to the main access of the house. On the other hand, the house was thought to be totally permeable through the total glazing of the north and east facades; advantageous orientations in this specific area due to the sunlight and natural lighting and also visually attractive since views of the sea (north) and a eucalyptus forest (east) would be projected.
The land for which the project was commissioned is positioned in a second theoretical line
with respect to the sea, so one of the client's requests was to find visual sources towards
the coast. For this, it was proposed that the entire house be suspended on the natural
terrain through a structure of pillars and wooden diagonals, the meters needed to achieve
the goal.
As a general approach for the distribution of the rooms in the house, it was decided that
the entrance hall function as a center that distributes and divides the common areas such as the kitchen, dining room, living room and terrace, to the north, and the private ones (two bedrooms plus a bathroom), to the south.

Structurally, and to resist large unsupported spans, the house was designed with a main metallic structure and interior pine framework. The house was project in 3.20-meter modules to optimize the wood, which comes from that length of fabric.

Most of the coverings, both interior and exterior, are made of pine but with an important contrast in the definition of the tones; Light dyes were used for the interior and terrace of the house and paints derived from black were used for the exteriors. 

PROJECT DATA:

• Architect & Constructor: Raimundo Gutiérrez Arquitecto
• Web: www.errearquitectos.cl
• Instagram: @raimundogutierrezf
• Structure: Joaquin Valenzuela

• Project Manager & Carpenter: Alejandro Chamorro
• Landscaping: Maureen Grove
• Location: Matanzas, Chile
• Year Completed: 2021

• Project Area: 128 m2
• Lot Area: 1.661 m2
• Programmatic elements: Common space composed by the living room, dining room and kitchen. 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, cellar and laundry room.