elton+léniz arquitectos asociados: ranco house

‘ranco house’ by elton+léniz arquitectos asociados, lake ranco, chile image © marcos mendizabal

santiago-based firm elton+léniz arquitectos asociados has completed the ‘ranco house’ on the edge of the tranquil lake ranco in chile. located in an exclusive site, the residence mixes traditional timber construction with a contemporary concrete plinth raising it off the ground. two wooden volumes wrapped in natural dark carbonileo shingles flank a large rock, connected by a black steel and glass bridge.

all natural elements of the existing environment were left untouched, as the exterior walls fold around the trees and the canopy in public spaces is lifted from the stone floor, connecting the interior to the preserved exterior and allowing the vegetation to become the dwelling’s envelope. the inside contrasts the dark external skin with softer natural wood trusses and beams and ceiling planks.

view from the street image © marcos mendizabal

pathways leading to the house image © marcos mendizabal

wooden volume and bridge image © marcos mendizabal

large rock between he two masses image © marcos mendizabal

inside the bridge image © marcos mendizabal

living room with lifted roof structure image © marcos mendizabal

kitchen image © marcos mendizabal

(left) a stone terrace wraps around the enclosed glass living areas (right) entry image © marcos mendizabal

exterior living room overlooking lake ranco image © marcos mendizabal

interior living space enclosed in a glass wall image © marcos mendizabal

house on site, with lake below image © marcos mendizabal

(top) plans (bottom) sections