Location: Santiago, Chile
Time: 2003
While restoring the Detif church on Chiloé Island, we stumbled upon a bas-relief of a ship carved into the wall (see the image on p3). This discovery became the muse for our transformation of the CR residence in Santiago.
We began by removing the attic from the original building, reorganizing the ground floor around an additional staircase. The bedrooms, kitchen, living room, and bathroom on this level flow seamlessly into one another, much like the interconnected spaces of a cozy country home. On the underground level, we arranged a study, a playroom, and a cellar, creating a versatile and functional space.
The upper level is where the magic truly happens. We installed a large, German-made tent, supported by an innovative, geometric steel structure that was constructed locally in Chile. The walls of this unique area are crafted from double-layered polyester fiber membranes, coated with PVC, while the roof structure relies on two inflatable floats. These floats are regulated by a small compressor, adjusting the internal air pressure in response to the external temperature.
This ethereal, translucent space defies easy categorization. Designed as a simple, yet inefficient area, it comes to life during specific times of the year. It dances with the wind, whispers the soft sounds of rain, and allows the city’s distant hum to gently seep in, accompanied by the dappled shadows of trees on its walls.
The facade of the CR residence sparked a flurry of protest letters from neighbors, who found the soft, circus-like structure too unconventional and ever-present. However, it was deeply appreciated by Constant A. Nieuwenhuys, an artist trained in crafts at the Kunstnijverheidsschool and the Rijksakademie voor Beeldende Kunst, who saw in it a unique blend of art and architecture.
Source: EL Croquis 167 Smiljan Radic 2003-2013
