geometric cut-outs puncture pezo von ellrichshausen's fortress-like luna house in chile

pezo von ellrichshausen builds Luna House in chile 

Settled at the foot of the Andes Mountains in Chile, Luna House takes shape as a cluster of twelve concrete structures arranged in a fortress-like manner. Designed by Chile-based duo Mauricio Pezo and Sofia von Ellrichshausen, the elongated volumes stand next to each other, separated by visible seismic joints. Described as ‘a large and a small building’ by the team, Luna House serves multiple purposes, accommodating lodging, workspaces, and exhibition areas, depending on the needs.

The architects designed the building by arranging the blocks in a severe square around a central courtyard, an arrangement that resembles a cloister. There are twelve blocks, each with its unique shape and proportions, that together, they create an asymmetrical cross shape at the heart of the courtyard, dividing it into four smaller green areas. The rooms are located both along the perimeter of the building and at its center. Throughout the structure, geometric openings and cut-outs pierce the solid and sturdy volumes, creating intermediate spaces and continuous interaction between the rooms and the lush scenery of the courtyards.

all images © Pezo von Ellrichshausen

Embracing a Cloister Arrangement

‘Saying that this collection of concrete blocks is a house would be too simple. Saying that it is a museum would be too humble,’ shares the duo at Pezo von Ellrichshausen. The asymmetrical cross of blocks separates the courtyard into four smaller green spaces. Among the four courtyards, the largest one features a pond and is adorned with aged trees, while the smallest holds a circular flower garden. The other two exhibit distinctive characteristics, with one stretching out along the natural slope of the terrain, and the other presents a completely level surface, with a water stream that connects a solitary Chilean chestnut with two triangular ends.

The project’s name derives from the size of its largest courtyard, which is comparable in size to a bullring, known as a ‘medialuna’ in Chilean rural tradition.‘The spatial quality of every room, both interior and exterior, is punctuated by singular openings in multiple directions, thus establishing a faint functional division line: there is almost no contrast between those rooms for living and those for working. In some corners there are accents of intimacy, in others, the weight, emptiness and opacity become somewhat monumental.’

Luna House is an aggregate of twelve different structures

The elongated design of the structure highlights the flatness of the roof, which seamlessly transitions from one to two floors. Despite the thinness of the concrete walls, it presents a fortress-like appearance, accentuated by horizontal layers of consistent cornices. In contrast to the rugged surfaces, the walls surrounding the courtyard are adorned with prominent eaves, featuring both rounded and straight shapes. When it comes to the interior,

the concrete blocks are punctuated by geometrical openings

semi-outdoor areas are formed between the rooms, framing views of the lush scenery

circular skylights and large openings let the sunlight spill inside

architecture blends with nature

Luna House takes cues from a fortress-like layout

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spiral staircases guides visitors to the upper levels

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

one of the rooms accommodates a sunken firepit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

project info: 

name: Luna House
architect: Pezo von Ellrichshausen (Mauricio Pezo & Sofia von Ellrichshausen) | @pezovonellrichshausen

collaborators:
Emilie Kjaer, Maria Arnold, Isabella Hubsch, Thomas Harlander, Fabian Puller, Olga Herrenbrücks, Torun Stjern, Simon Bohnet, Amelie Bès, Elina Zempetakis, Jeffrey Wu, Jasper Lorenz, Hannah Frossard, Pablo Valsangiacomo
structure: Sergio Contreras

location: Santa Lucia Alto, Yungay, Chile
client: Fundacion Artificial
construction: Constructora Natural
surface: 2400 sqm
site: 120 hectares
date: 2018-2022
photography: © Pezo von Ellrichshausen