House in El Arrayán / Planmaestro + Cristián Schmitt Rivera

The commission was to design a small house for a young couple, to be placed north of an existing house on the same family lot. The site, located at the suburb of El Arrayán and approximately 1000 meters above sea level, has a steep slope to the south-east, that opens a dramatic view of the valley in that direction. The house is organized in two parallel volumes, displaced to sit on the uneven terrain and both facing the view to the east. The lower volume accommodates two bedrooms, each with space for desk, closet and bathroom.

The upper volume is a single space for living room, dining and kitchen. The entrance is located between both volumes at an intermediate level. The guest bathroom and laundry room are located here too. Two sliding windows at each side of the upper volume can be fully opened to the east and west views. Both openings give access to a terrace. The west terrace opens to the ground level in a relatively flat area and allows to walk through the garden and existing trees.

The east terrace stands over de lower volume, one story over the ground level, to enjoy the view from a vantage point. This way, a continuous space forms, relating the house’s back and front. From the garden at ground level, passing through the house, to the higher ground and view to the east.