The Chilean studio Ruca Proyectos, directed by the architect Carlos Torres, has designed the Casa La Quimera house, located 1.5 kilometers from Coyhaique, in the province of Aysén, Chile.

The project consists of a single-family country house that is implanted within the forest in Chilean Patagonia. The volumetry is of a pure character, being inspired by the traditional constructions of the area; It is related to the land through piles that move the building away from the ground, protecting it from the cold and moisture from the ground.

The exterior of the house is covered by sheets of black zinc that isolate it from the arduous climate of the area, while the interior is clad in wood, giving the feeling of warmth.
The relationship with nature is fundamental in Casa La Quimera, by Ruca Proyectos studio. The different spaces open onto the landscape through a large window that becomes a balcony. The treetops and the Simpson River are permanently contained between the wooden slats that delimit the terrace.

The proposed program groups common and private spaces on the ground floor, highlight the strategy of placing adjoining beds on an extensive wall that is related to the living room of the house, proposing new ways of living.

The first-floor functions as a wooden cabin that lends itself to the introspection of the inhabitants. On the staircase, a plank that serves as a resting place later becomes a dining table and then is inserted into the terrace, escaping into nature; This gesture shows the role played by natural resources and their conscious use in the architectural proposal.
 

Description of project by Ruca Proyectos

The ordered  is a second home in Coyhaique, Chilean Patagonia, located on the River Simpson, on the outskirts of the city, 1.5 km from the city center.

The program includes a large space containing the main living room, open kitchen, 6 cabins on site, one guest bathroom and a suite room. The second level contains a wide open floor plan with access to a balcony.

Architecture, has its origins in traditional constructions southern end of Chile, which aims to support a hostile climate in winter, with snow, rain and cold almost all year. For these conditions and the material to be used, it was decided to raise the house to separate the field.

On the other hand, a budget bounded coupled with a scarce labor and basic technology, led to pose a simple type design wooden shed, to build without special construction details, all based on local pine wood, interior completions grooved plywood boards and covered with zinc.

The volume comes from access hermetically coated by the same cover material (zinc plates) and opens fully to the views dominating over the river and the Mackay hill with a large terrace plank. The interior is completely made of wood and the house is assembled from a large table that also serves as a rest inside the staircase and in the terrace  as a second dining room.

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Architects
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Ruca Proyectos. Led architect.- Carlos Torres Alcalde.
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Design team
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Consuelo Alfaro.
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Collaborators
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Engineering.- Joaquín Valenzuela Barbo.
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Area
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114 sqm.
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Dates
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2015.
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Manufacturers
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Wood.- Arauco. Lights.- Interlight.
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Location
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Coyhaique, Aysén Province, Chile.
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Photography
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Ruca Proyectos, architecture firm led by Carlos Torres architect (2005) located in Viña del Mar, which builds and designs architecture projects in Chile. Their objective is to ensure that their architecture and construction projects have design and solutions created in their country, Chile.

Their work team acts synergistically in the different work areas where they execute their challenges. Their persevering search for new business opportunities inspires and feeds the spirit of Ruca Proyectos
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Published on: February 22, 2021
Cite: "Living looking at the Patagonian forest. La Quimera house by Ruca Proyectos" METALOCUS. Accessed
<https://www.metalocus.es/en/news/living-looking-patagonian-forest-la-quimera-house-ruca-proyectos> ISSN 1139-6415
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