A Chilean Beach Home’s Sinuous Facade Is Designed for High Winds

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Project Details:

Location: Pichilemu, Chile

Architect: Pablo Larroulet/@larrou_arq and blaq arquitectos/@blaq.arq

Photographer: Macarena Whittle /@mawhi.studio

From the Architect: "Located 15 minutes from Punta de Lobos in the commune of Pichilemu, the house is nestled in a natural setting just a few meters from the beach. Positioned at the highest point of the site, it dominates the landscape with sweeping views of the ocean, aligning with the north—a privileged orientation in the southern hemisphere that allows natural light to enter year-round. This northern openness presented a challenge: facing the intense prevailing southern winds, known locally as the ‘surazo.’

"The duality between connecting with the views and protecting against the wind defined the key design strategies. Through its sinuous form, the house not only softens the wind’s passage but also integrates into its movement, naturally deflecting its flow to protect the interior. In this way, the house becomes the wind itself, blending with the landscape through organic shapes that subtly emerge from the hilltop without altering it. From above, the floor plan unfolds like two extended wings that intertwine at a sheltered center, where the program develops. From the horizon, these wings appear to rise gently from the sloping terrain, creating a haven of calm and contemplation.

"The house’s main access is located on the southern facade, orienting views toward the sea. The main circulation follows an east-west axis, distributing communal spaces such as the kitchen, living room, and workshops in the eastern wing, while private areas—including two children's bedrooms, a guest room, and the primary bedroom—are arranged around a family room in the western wing, which connects and articulates the spaces. Both wings converge through a central courtyard open to the north, eliminating the need for dark hallways. This space illuminates the entire house and allows movement through it, always accompanied by views of the Pacific Ocean.

"The cladding was designed to provide visual continuity across the facade, using pine harvested from the trees surrounding the site. Its natural tone blends with the low vegetation and grasses of the area. The vertical and spaced arrangement of the boards creates a semi-permeable quality, slowing the wind’s acceleration and producing an interplay of light and shadow. Designed as a primary residence for a young family, the House in the Wind promotes open spaces, fosters interaction, and establishes an intimate connection with nature."