matias zegers designs stable building in chile with 'unnoticeably complex' roof geometry

photographer cristóbal palma has documented a stable complex located on a three hectare site at the foothills of the andean mountains near santiago, chile. designed by architect matias zegers, the building houses 14 showjumping horses who are trained on an adjacent riding arena. the gable roofed structure has been designed to allow plentiful natural light to enter through out the year, with minimum artificial light required. the structure was built using timber components that were prefabricated off site — allowing the building to be assembled in just 45 days.

image © cristóbal palma (also main image)

while the skylight illuminates the center of the stable, where staff need to work throughout the day, the aperture narrows at both ends to allow horses to rest comfortably in their stalls. matias zegers’ design unobtrusively occupies the landscape, appearing as a conventional structure that conceals its interior complexity. ‘the roofing geometry is unnoticeably complex,’ explains the architect. ‘a subtle variation in the roof ridge width generates an asymmetric curvature on the roof surface, changing its pitch angle along its length.’

image © cristóbal palma

externally, the roof is finished with an outer layer of metallic tiles. the site’s main building joins other vernacular structures amid a grouping of quillayes, trees native to central chile. as well as the stable and the riding arena, the complex also includes a covered exercise ring, an equipment barn, and a terrace for relaxation.

image © cristóbal palma

image © cristóbal palma

image © cristóbal palma

image © cristóbal palma

project info:

name: caballerizas
location: santiago, chile
architect: matias zegers arquitectos
project manager: andres gayangos
team: diego terán, nina vidič ivančič, marianne weber, benedetta mingardi
photography: cristóbal palma