hsu-rudolphy arquitectos embeds 'slope house' into the banks of chile's rapel lake

designed by hsu-rudolphy arquitectos, this house is located two hours from santiago — chile’s capital and largest city. titled ‘slope house’, the project is sited on an incline overlooking rapel lake. the scheme comprises three levels: the upper storey, which contains shared spaces such as the living room, kitchen, lounge, and a large terrace; the middle floor, which accommodates three bedrooms and bathrooms; and the lower level, which has a versatile living space that connects with the ground and the adjacent lake.

all images by ian hsü

the building itself consists of an elementary structure of steel and concrete with a skin of wood and glass. hsu-rudolphy arquitectos says that project was driven by two main concepts: to take in the site’s spectacular views, while conserving the natural environment. in order to achieve this, the design team built the house perpendicular to the terrain, generating small and precise terraced levels. this small footprint also allowed the architects to achieve lake views from three different vantage points.

‘the idea is to integrate the architectural volume into the natural environment surrounded by trees, as if born from the ground,’ explains hsu-rudolphy arquitectos. ‘our intention was to achieve a harmonious dialogue between the artificial and the natural. the accesses are designed as walkways that connect the building at its different levels, with the natural terrain and its path between the trees.we wanted to find simple solutions, simple finishes, but arranged efficiently, to achieve an optimal result for users, with low maintenance and high durability.’

1/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

project info:

name: slope house
location: rapel lake, chile
completed: 2019
architects: hsu-rudolphy (ian hsü – gabriel rudolphy)
construction: constructora dreco
structural design: josé manuel morales
photography: ian hsü