Corten Steel Family House On The Steep Bank Of A Beautiful Lake

Driven by their clients’ desire to have a welcoming family gathering space on a beautiful site surrounded by nature, architecture studio Aguilo+Pedraza came up with a gorgeous design for a house on the Eastern bank of the Rupunco Lake in Chile. The house has a pavilion-inspired structure and a peculiar layout. The major elements in its design were shaped by the climate, in particular by the strong winds and rainfall that are common in this particular region of the Osorno Province. The choice of materials is quite interesting as well. As you can clearly see, this is a corten steel house. This material was chosen in order to create a protective shell around the interior spaces and to help the house blend in a bit better with its surroundings at the same time. The beautiful thing about corten steel is its weathered look and the unique patina that it gains over time. this adds character to the house with each day that goes by.

One section of the house is elevated on stilts which gives it a better view over the lake and the surroundings
One section of the house is elevated on stilts which gives it a better view over the lake and the surroundings
The weathered steel exterior helps the building to look more natural in this setting
The weathered steel exterior helps the building to look more natural in this setting

The structure in its entirely is basically a large multipurpose space. This sort of flexibility allows the various interior spaces to serve a variety of different purposes based on need and occasion, making it a perfect family retreat for everyone every time. The spaces are organized on two floors. The first one has a big hearth at the center with a grill and a chimney and can be used as a casual barbecue area when it’s nice and sunny or as an everyday living and dining area. A bay section offers it protection from the winds blowing from the South during summer.

The internal areas have large windows which expose them to the beautiful panoramas of the lake and the landscape
The internal areas have large windows which expose them to the beautiful panoramas of the lake and the landscape
The terrain is uneven and difficult to work with, hence the cantilevered design
The terrain is uneven and difficult to work with, hence the cantilevered design

The second floor can either be another common area or can be used as a bedroom. The stairway which connects the floors offers another layer of protection, this time from the Northern winds. There’s also a covered patio which is sheltered from the rain and the sun. All of these details were carefully incorporated into a beautiful and modern design with clean lines, big openings and a strong connection to the immediate surroundings as well as the distant landscape.

Warm wood covers the floor, ceiling and walls creating a very soothing and welcoming ambiance
Warm wood covers the floor, ceiling and walls creating a very soothing and welcoming ambiance
The interior is very flexible and the spaces can be easily rearranged and repurposed based on need
The interior is very flexible and the spaces can be easily rearranged and repurposed based on need
This common area is a casual living space which can accommodate big and small groups alike
This common area is a casual living space which can accommodate big and small groups alike
The angled section houses the staircase which connects the two floors and doubles as a protective shield against the strong winds
The angled section houses the staircase which connects the two floors and doubles as a protective shield against the strong winds
The close proximity to the lake reveals a very nice view but also exposes the house to harsh weather, hence the need for an unconventional design
The close proximity to the lake reveals a very nice view but also exposes the house to harsh weather, hence the need for an unconventional design
A wooden pathway leads down through the trees, connecting the house to its beautiful surroundings
A wooden pathway leads down through the trees, connecting the house to its beautiful surroundings
A view from this angle reveals the rugged nature of the topography and the steepness of the site
A view from this angle reveals the rugged nature of the topography and the steepness of the site
In an unusual way, the corten steel exterior actually helps to make the house look more organic
In an unusual way, the corten steel exterior actually helps to make the house look more organic