This Project was born as a holiday home on the pacific coast of Chile. Both cabins, for two people each, are located in Matanzas, Navidad, approximately 2 ½ hours from Santiago. Placed 80 meters above sea level on the Lagunilla hill, a 5 minute drive from Matanzas town, the cabins rise in front of the “Lobera”, a large rock mass jutting out on the sea, home to sea lions and other native species.
Project Name: La Tagua
Studio Name: Croxatto & Opazo Arquitectos
Location: Matanzas, Navidad, Región de O`Higgins, Chile
Surface: 45m2
Year: 2018
Photography: Cristobal Palma
Due to the strong winds all year long, Matanzas has become a world capital for Kitesurfing and Windsurfing. Both these elements were purposefully incorporated into the development of the project.The design process was conceived as an opportunity for experimentation, looking for a way to both, blend-in with the surrounding nature and ‘dominate’ the steep slope.
“La Loica” & “La Tagua”, which take their names after bird species native to the region, are placed on the ravine using a wooden pilon structure that supports the main platform, over which the programmeis developed. Being on a tight budget, each structure is resolved in few square meters to reduce foundation costs due to the steep slope. That’s why a single unified, two story space was proposed.
A large loft connects the interior premises both visually and spatially. The dining room, bathroom and kitchen are laid out on the access level, using furniture that merges with the architecture, to optimize space. The large windows mounted on the western façades, enhance the feeling of ‘hovering’ over the pacific ocean, with an extended panoramic view that creates an unforgettable experience.
Both cabins have the bedroom located on the upper level that can be accessed using a vertical ladder. The double-height living room connects the bedroom with the whole cabin, a disposition that seeks to frame and direct the views anywhere you stand, weather it is towards the wooded hills to the south, the rocky “Lobera” to the north, or the entire ocean to de West
The cabins are connected to the exterior northern terraces through the access doors, which can be opened wide as a way to connect and extend the interior with the exterior spaces.
This also allows the main structure to act as a shield against the strong winds coming from the south-west, consolidating the terrace viewpoint.
Matanzas is a wood production area, so both buildings are built entirely in wood. Three types of wood were used in this case. Main structure was build using impregnated, chamber-dried pine to improve long-term performance. ½”x 3” pine board was used for the interior finish, treated with Osmo coating, and timber cladding manufactured from reclaimed oak sleepers was used for exterior finish. This inert material was treated with oils, for resistance against marine corrosion and to improve long time performance.
