Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

A Shingle-Clad Prefab Anchors Itself on Patagonia’s Largest Lake

A Shingle-Clad Prefab Anchors Itself on Patagonia’s Largest Lake

Prefab construction makes it possible for SAA Arquitectura + Territorio to build this impressive retreat in a remote region.

In wild, rugged Patagonia, Chilean architectural firm SAA Arquitectura + Territorio has crafted a comfortable and contemporary home in a notoriously inhospitable environment where access to materials and labor is limited.



Set on the shores of Patagonia's largest lake, Casa Sombreros is located near the village of Puerto Rio Tranquilo, four hours south of Aysen Region's capital of Coyhaique.

The challenges posed by the remote terrain were a tradeoff for the site’s spellbinding beauty. The Santiago–based client selected a spot on the shores of the largest lake in Patagonia, Lake General Carrera, for its turquoise-blue waters, snow-capped granite mountains, and glittering glaciers in the distance.



The architects created a simple, shed-like refuge so as to not detract from the surrounding environment.



Large decks and walls of glass blur the boundaries between indoor/outdoor living.

To mitigate the harsh construction conditions, the architects turned to prefab construction. For strength and efficiency, SIP panels were used for the floors, walls, and roof. Local carpentry techniques were applied to the detailing, crafted with native wood, as a nod to the local Patagonian vernacular.



The exterior is entirely sheathed in shingles made from locally sourced lenga wood, a species native to the Patagonia-Andean forests.



Since the remote site and harsh climate made access to supplies and labor difficult, the architects used prefabricated materials and construction methods.

Thanks to prefabricated construction, the house was built over the course of five months and anchored directly into bedrock for a foundation strong enough to withstand the region’s unforgiving climate.



The foundations were anchored directly into bedrock.

"The main design was to make a project that could be related to the landscape, at the same time providing a comforting interior and common hierarchical spaces," say the architects, who named the house Casa Sombreros.



"An important part of the work was to design large common spaces, and to be able to receive a large number of people," note the architects. "The common spaces are designed for the coexistence between family and friends."



Coigüe timber, a species native to the Andean part of Patagonia, was used for the interior flooring. The outdoor deck is made from oak.



Local carpenters built the furnishings.

To maximize east-facing views of the lake and access to natural light, the residence is arranged as two slightly offset pavilions set parallel to the lake for northeast orientation. The volume closest to the lake extends towards the north and comprises the common areas and the master bedroom. The secondary pavilion contains four additional bedrooms linked by a long hallway with views of the lake.



Casa Sombreros comprises two interconnected, rectangular volumes parallel to the lake. The larger volume contains the living spaces and extends northwards to capture natural light.

Sheathed in wood inside and out, Casa Sombreros has a distinctly rustic feel that’s underscored by its low-profile, gabled silhouettes and use of traditional building techniques.



A long hallway connects the bedrooms and overlooks views of the lake.

"The project aspires to be timeless by way of resolving the exterior cladding with a single material, the lenga shingle, a finish which binds the house to local building traditions," explain the architects.



The view from the master bedroom deck down the length of the house.

The home’s modest footprint takes care not to disturb the land. "The architectural detail enriches the concept of a refuge by revealing its constructive will toward amplitude and transparency achieved through the steel and glass enclosing an interior which, immersed in nature, blends in instead of standing out," say the architects.



Casa Sombreros Floor Plan



Casa Sombreros Site Plan

AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
U.S. Goods Imports Plunge Nearly 20% Amid Tariff Disruptions
Italy Faces Population Decline Amid Youth Emigration
Trump Accuses China of Violating Trade Agreement
OpenAI Faces Competition from Cheaper AI Rivals
Foreign Tax Provision in U.S. Budget Bill Alarms Investors
Russia Accuses Serbia of Supplying Arms to Ukraine
Gerry Adams Wins Libel Case Against BBC
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
EU Majority Demands Hungary Reverse Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws
Top Hotel Picks for 2025 Stays in Budapest Revealed
Iron Maiden Unveils 2025 Tour Setlist in Budapest
Chinese Film Week Opens in Budapest to Promote Cultural Exchange
Budapest Airport Launches Direct Flights to Shymkent
Von der Leyen Denies Urging EU Officials to Skip Budapest Pride
Alcaraz and Sinner Advance with Convincing Wins at Roland Garros
EU Ministers Lack Consensus on Sanctioning Hungary Over Rule of Law
EU Nations Urge Action Against Hungary's Pride Parade Ban
Putin's Helicopter Reportedly Targeted by Ukrainian Drones
U.S. Considers Withdrawing Troops from Europe
Russia Deploys Motorbike Squads in Ukraine Conflict
Critics Accuse European Court of Human Rights of Overreach
Spain Proposes 100% Tax on Non-EU Holiday Home Purchases
German Intelligence Labels AfD as Far-Right Extremist
Geert Wilders Threatens Dutch Coalition Over Migration Policy
Hungary Faces Multiple Challenges Amid EU Tensions and Political Shifts
Denmark Increases Retirement Age to 70, Setting a European Precedent
Any trade deal with US must be based on respect not threats', says EU commissioner
UK Leads in Remote Work Adoption, Averaging 1.8 Days a Week
Thirteen Killed in Russian Attacks Across Ukraine
High-Profile Incidents and Political Developments Dominate Global News
Netanyahu Accuses Western Leaders of 'Emboldening Hamas'
Ukraine and Russia Conduct Largest Prisoner Exchange of the War
×