Type: Beach house
Year: 2010
Location: Punta de Lobos, Pichilemu
Area: 272 m2
Structure: Cargaz Ingeniería
Collaborator architects: Javier Lorenzo and Francisco Duarte
Photographer: Sergio Pirrone

With typical elements of colonial architecture of the area, we reinterpreted the local traditional architecture techniques and materials, in a way that they respond to contemporary challenges. We took two main local elements: the “zócalos” and the local wood that abunds in the region. 

"Zócalo": traditional local structure made of flagstone, used as a base to support other structures. “Zócalos” help to diminish humidity in the inside space. In addition, flagstone abounds and has been used by the local fishermen to built improvise structures along the coastline. Flagstone zócalos have been used on traditional buildings dating from 1800 in Pichilemu. 

In Zócalo House, this element builds a platform, which forms an exterior space for the house with terraces protected from the south wind and controlled green areas, limiting the irrigation area, due to the scarcity of water.

With a predominant view towards Punta de Lobos, the volume is placed so that the largest number of enclosures look towards the sea, but with a break in this one seeks to protect from the south winds the north-west facade and without losing the view.

The socle and walls of the house are ventilated, decreasing the internal humidity of floors and walls. The stone slabs were extracted from a quarry enabled in the same place. In order to generate continuity with the base and work the fifth facade, the roof was also coated with stone slab.

The house is formed according to the main views towards the sea and the predominant directions of the wind. As a result, wind-protected exteriors are created and the main spaces are focused in watching Punta de Lobos. The materials and the details of the construction, has emphasis on the resistance to the conditions of the beach.