OBJETIVO

The main idea was to create an environment where staying outside would remain the priority. By doing so, an important axis of exploration was to push the diffusion of the limits between inside and outside. Dispersion was a strategy that allowed us such exploration, at the same time creating a compound of blocks that, by not being continuous, would create an interrupted form, more suitable for the context. A single massive block was too hard for a place with such a delicate horizon line. The shape of the lot became a source of alignment for the blocks, and also pushed to explore the rotation of the main block towards a better alignment with the front limit, also allowing full sun protection and desired views to the future water reservoir. The elevation of the patio to one meter above ground level allowed also for better views on top of the future vineyard and to gently define the limits of the patio. The transition towards the "inside" of the house, actually still the exterior (patio) became a challenge to take into consideration. Textures and materials had to be as simple as the context suggested, but strong enough to provide the necessary shelter to protect users from winds, sun and some cold nights.

CONTEXTO

This is the first house built of a development of 15 lots in the desert of Paracas. Paracas is normally associated with coastline and ocean because it is also the name of a national reserve, 15 minutes away from where this house is. However, this project is located in the interior of the district, where there is more agricultural activity. Surrounding the15 house development there are vineyards and a distillery where Pisco is produced. The surrounding areas are also agricultural, but it is essentially in a desert region. This means that we were facing an extreme environment. In Paracas, the sun shines for long hours throughout the year, the wind can reach hostile speeds, and the nights can be very cold. Additionally, the physical landscape in this area is very flat. On the horizon, any built structure not achieved with proper sensibility prevails as a disruption of the subtle horizontal lines. Building a house to host more than 10 people can represent a significant volume in contrast to the small interventions throughout the landscape. We needed to create shelter in order to make the weather conditions enjoyable, without disrupting the landscape.

ACTUACIÓN

The house now is part of the context. Once in the patio, one feels "inside" and protected even though one is actually in the exterior. The spiral staircase became almost an attraction, where its use wasn't limited only to changing vertical levels, but also to give a strong personality to the main space (patio + main block). Its curves are not only self-defined, but also stand in contrast to the straight lines of the rest of the blocks. The tree also gave a special identity to the main space, only this time for unexpected reasons. It was transported 500m from where it originally grew and once it was transplanted it didn't survive. Normally those trees (molle serrano) remain green throughout the year. The fact that the main blocks and patio were lifted 1m above ground generated some unexpected very positive play between the house and the rest of the lot. People sit along the borders, for example. When at the house, a lot of people seem to be doing their own thing while at the same time interacting subtly with the rest of the users. Some take a bath in the swimming pool, some stay at the kitchen cooking, some by the fire reading, some by the hammock taking a nap.