Budget Breakdown: This Modular Cabin in Chile Cost Just $51 Per Square Foot

Modular design defines a lakeside holiday home that was built for under $160K.

Aug 10, 2020 - 21:17

Budget Breakdown: This Modular Cabin in Chile Cost Just $51 Per Square Foot

Modular design defines a lakeside holiday home that was built for under $160K.

The elevated modular home is clad in locally sourced radiata pine treated with a stone-gray oil stabilizer.

Celebrated for its cinematic mountain views and crystal-clear glacier waters, Chile’s Ranco Lake has long charmed Francisca Eguiguren and Cristóbal Concha. The couple spent years dreaming of a holiday home by the lake, so when an acquaintance tipped them off on an opportunity to purchase land near the eastern shore, they jumped at the chance.

Construction Cost $39,827	Electrical Engineer $7,303	Plumbing $1,863
Heating System $5,797	Window Wall System $18,521	Wood $30,195
Hardware $17,396	Furniture $4,624	Gravel $268
Tinsmith $1,990	Kitchen Items $4,437	Fireplace $1,171
Hot Tub $1,701	Gas $1,863	Landscape $3,962
Landscape Construction $1,863	Sanitary Items $5,524	Onduline Roof $3,726
Wood Finish $1,508	Doors $4,773
Grand Total: $158,312

Located in southern Chile’s Riñinahue commune on the east side of Lake Ranco, Casa Tobita is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty—from the country’s fourth largest lake to Futangue Park, a nature reserve at the foot of the Andes.

Photo: Nico Saieh

With the land secured, the couple entrusted the design of the home to Maximiliano Noguera Balmaceda, one of Francisca’s best friends since preschool and the Principal of Santiago- and Frutillar-based architecture practice Max-A.

The holiday home is named Casa Tobita, after the client’s childhood nickname.

Photo: Nico Saieh

"Every time our firm is faced with projects in remote locations, we thoroughly investigate the area for available construction material, local consultants, and local construction teams," explains Balmaceda. "These aspects are crucial to keep the construction costs low, and have the added benefit of reinforcing local business and employment and reducing transportation pollution."