transparent below and sheltered on top, KW house sits amid forest in chile

Eugenio Simonetti and Bastian San Martin complete kw house

KW House by Eugenio Simonetti and Bastian San Martin sits in the middle of a native preservation forest in the south of Chile. Open to nature, the first floor is built as a glass aquarium based on a large open floor plan with three staircases in the central axis. The second floor is designed as a series of apartments, defined by vestibules that can be connected and disconnected depending on the privacy requirements of the inhabitants.

In summer, the house works outwards taking advantage of the folding windows that are projected on both sides of the dining room. This allows the space to entirely open up to the forest, enabling cross ventilation and direct connection to the terrace and fire pit area. In winter, when the climate becomes extreme, the house works on itself based on a perimeter circulation, without corridors. To protect from the rain and cold, a metallic exterior coating was selected for the roof and walls of the second floor, further reducing maintenance costs in the medium term.

all images courtesy of Bastian San Martin

series of adjustable vestibules create privacy and openness

Around the central axis, Eugenio Simonetti (see more here) and Bastian San Martin (see more here) have positioned the living room, dining room, and kitchen. The Chilean Architects have ensured that each space on the first floor is enhanced by optimal thermal insulation based on polyurethane inside the walls and aluminum frame windows with thermal break and Low-E thermopane windows.

Each apartment on the second floor is complete with its own bathroom and staircase, designed as a series of compartments that can be reconfigured to allow different degrees of interactivity. They can be opened as a series of trains wagons for closer proximity between inhabitants, or the lobbies can be blocked to urge circulation only via the stairs, granting greater privacy. Here, unlike the openness of the lower floor, few windows, skylights, and vast wood paneling create warm and comfortable spaces that offer a space for rest and retreat. Skylights bring in natural light.

Eugenio Simonetti and Bastian San Martin complete KW House

to protect from the rain and cold, a metallic exterior coating was selected for the roof and facade

open to nature, the first floor is built as a glass aquarium

three staircases in the central axis unite the living room, dining room, and kitchen

in summer, the house works outwards taking advantage of the folding windows

the second floor is designed as a series of apartments

skylights and vast wood paneling create warm and comfortable spaces

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project info:

name: KW House
architect: Eugenio Simonetti, Bastian San Martin

location: Chile

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edited by: ravail khan | designboom