The Japanese architect has designed a splendid weekend house on the Chilean coast. An ideal retreat for lovers of nature and architecture.
Anchored facing the Pacific Ocean, Ryūe Nishizawa's House in Los Vilos project perfectly captures the raw and overwhelming beauty of the surrounding landscape. Perched on the tip of a promontory, the house fits into a long, narrow space. Without walls in the traditional sense, resting on the ground and crowned by a ribbon-like roof, the building constantly confronts its visitors with nature, and more specifically with the waves crashing onto the shore. These waves are echoed in the structure's silhouette, which combines concrete and glass, creating an architecture that is both gentle and powerful.
Conceived as a weekend retreat, House in Los Vilos is an invitation to relaxation and contemplation. The roof divides the villa into three zones: a sauna at the front, a bedroom and living room in the middle, and at the rear, a kitchen and dining area that extend onto a terrace. A wood-clad spa also offers breathtaking ocean views. On the other side of the building, a wing is organized around a bedroom that also opens onto the sea.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the building's structure is also noteworthy. The roof arches are arranged diagonally, creating large spans and thus offering spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. This diversity of openings would not have been possible with traditional arched structures such as a vaulted roof.
Awarded the Pritzker Prize in 2010, Japanese architect Ryūe Nishizawa, who also runs the SANAA firm with architect Kazuyo Sejima, is part of the Ochoquebradas project, which involves seven other Japanese architects each invited to design a house, while eight other houses are designed by Chilean architects. These include Kengo Kuma, Sou Fujimoto, and Felipe Assadi.
Chile – Los Vilos