This house, designed without a specific user in mind, emerged from an invitation to participate in an experimental residential initiative—a project featuring a curated group of Japanese and Chilean architects. The assigned site is located on the central-northern coast of Chile, though not on the prime oceanfront line. Instead, the plot is set back behind more privileged lots, distanced from direct coastal exposure.
In response, the project is conceived as a singular object elevated above the terrain, designed to capture distant panoramic views toward the horizon in all four cardinal directions—established by the square footprint of 9.6 meters per side.
The simple program includes a living-dining area, a master bedroom, and two secondary bedrooms, each projecting from the central core and suspended in the landscape. These private and semi-public volumes are organized around a central vertical void exceeding eight meters in height, unassigned to any specific function. This space is illuminated from above by a circular oculus, positioned precisely at the geometric center of the roof-terrace.
At ground level, a discreet entrance and narrow staircase lead into the monolithic structure. The first level houses auxiliary functions—a parking space, storage, and laundry facilities. The stair emerges in the vertical void and continues as a helical circulation path, wrapping the perimeter of the square plan and culminating at the rooftop terrace, which acts as a spatial and symbolic climax. From here, the elevated position allows for an uninterrupted reading of the territory.
The house, both minimal and monumental, is a statement of clarity in geometry, material economy, and spatial intensity, exploring themes of solitude, elevation, and landscape engagement.
Project Title: Casa Ochoquebradas
Client: Inmobiliaria Ochoalcubo
Architect: Albert Tidy
Collaborators: Sebastián Cruz, Ken Qiu Sun
Location: Province of Los Vilos, Coquimbo Region, Chile
Built Area: 270 m²
Materiality: Steel and wood
Year: 2013