Chile's Casa Hualle references its volcanic backdrop

Chilean practice Ampueroyutronic’s latest residential project

Chilean practice Ampueroyutronic’s latest residential offering sits in the small town of Pucon in the country’s Araucania region.

(Image credit: Felipe Fontecilla)

By Ellie Stathaki

last updated 28 October 2022

Not many houses can boast sites as spectacular as those in the Chilean countryside. From dramatic rocky shores to dry deserts and leafy mountains, the South American country is not short of striking landscapes where architecture can choose to blend seamlessly, becoming one with the scenery, or make a mark, standing defiantly against the surrounding nature. Casa Hualle, the latest residential project by Ampueroyutronic, belongs somewhere in-between.

Located in the town of Pucon in the country’s Araucania region, the house is set within a landscape of open vistas, a lake and the rolling hills of the nearby Villarrica volcano. The single family residence is a sculptural volume created by geometric folds and cut outs (one of them highlighting the entrance), clearly marking its presence within its surrounds; but at the same time the architects – led by Javier Ampuero and Catalina Yutronic – chose to embrace its natural environment by carving large openings out of its monolithic form, orientating the eyes towards the views, taking in the nature and placing it centre stage. Additionally, its dark-stained softwood skin colour references the area’s architecture, which has been traditionally clad in black volcanic rock.

Inside, the space unfolds across 230 sq m and two storeys. Offsetting the black exterior, the interior is enveloped in pale, almost white, stained wood. Smooth, exposed concrete floors bring all the different rooms together. A central double-height volume sits at the heart of the house, hosting the kitchen, dining and living areas on the ground level. Flanking it are two guest bedrooms, while upstairs sits the master bedroom and bathroom. This is accessed by a carefully designed, generous staircase that doubles as a library and studio space, with a gallery that overlooks the main living spaces below.

In a gesture of respect towards the surrounding nature, the architects opted for the use of a number of eco-friendly systems, including passive energy saving features that encourage sustainability; while a swimming pool outside makes taking the plunge an exciting experience, set against the dramatic volcanic backdrop.

The black exteriors of Ampueroyutronic’s latest residential offering — The single family residence is a sculptural volume that has been created from geometric folds and cut outs.

large corner cut out highlights the entrance of this Chilean house — A large corner cut out highlights the house’s main entrance.

black exterior of Chilean house by Ampueroyutronic — The building’s dark skin references the area’s architecture, which has been traditionally clad in black volcanic rock.

floor plan of Chilean house by Ampueroyutronic — The dark, timber clad structure spans two levels internally

Inside the Chilean house by Ampueroyutronic the wood is light in contract to the exterior — The ground floor is built around a central double height space that hosts the main living areas.

floorplan Chilean house by Ampueroyutronic — The interior unfolds across 230 sq m

Upper level with bedroom and bathroom of Chilean house by Ampueroyutronic — The upper level houses the master bedroom and bathroom.

staircase and gallery clad in blonde wood in Chilean house by Ampueroyutronic — This is accessed by a generous staircase and gallery that overlooks the living space below.

pale stained wood and concrete floors of Chilean house by Amperoyutronic — The interior is enveloped in pale, almost white, stained wood and features exposed concrete floors.

INFORMATION
For more information visit the Ampueroyutronic website (opens in new tab)

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Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture Editor at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018) and Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020).