Owned by a family of naturalists, the glass-walled vacation home employs a wraparound deck with panoramic views of its picturesque setting.
Architects Cristobal Fernández and Francisca Schmidt had a welcome challenge in this lakeside project: The relationship with the owners wasn’t starting from scratch. “They are close to our family,” Fernández says.
As naturalists and cyclists, the owners were looking to build a vacation property that would better connect them to the outdoors during calm and not-too-infrequent getaways. Fernández and Schmidt found an ideal location on the shores of Rupanco Lake, in the Los Lagos region of Chile. “The site is about 10 hours from their primary home,” Fernández adds.
The home overlooks Rupanco Lake in southern Chile, about 10 hours from where the owners’ primary residence is.
Photo: Nico Saieh
Set in a locale famous for its natural wonders, where snow-capped mountains cut into the sky and cyprus and quillaja trees fragrance the air, the proposed home would have strong roots to its surroundings simply by being present in them. But since the owners are friends, perhaps it wasn’t enough to build four walls and a roof—the structure also had to meet the opportunity.
The front of the house has a ramp entrance that leads to a wraparound deck.
Photo: Nico Saieh
“To complement their lifestyle, we made a glass-walled home with an open, integrated design,” Fernández says. “The expansive windows create a seamless connection to the green landscapes of southern Chile.”
The family of four and their guests can sit on a low railing that acts as a bench to take in the views. A secondary fireplace keeps the area warm.
Photo: Nico Saieh
See the full story on Dwell.com: A Lake House in Chilean Patagonia Takes Inspiration from Japanese Pagodas
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