this wedge-shaped cabin ‘shelter 45’ is built by gonzalo rufin + felipe toro

A Coastal Retreat in Matanzas, chile

Shelter 45, a home designed by Gonzalo Rufin Arquitectos and Felipe Toro, is located in Matanzas, Chile. The area is a destination known for its strong winds and suitability for water sports like windsurfing and kitesurfing. Situated three hours from Santiago, the newly completed cabin takes advantage of a mountainous site surrounded by forests and ravines. The structure balances vertical and horizontal elements, adapting to the only flat portion of the land while its wooden materiality allows it to exist in a respectful dialogue with the wooded landscape.
images © Pablo Casals

Modular Design by gonzalo rufin & felipe toro

Shelter 45 is deigned by Gonzalo Rufin Arquitectos and Felipe Toro with a repetitive, modular system. This assemblage forms a three-story structure that extends across nine segments in width, totaling eighty square meters of interior and exterior spaces. The building incorporates a framework of wood and steel ties, optimizing the limited site by rising vertically. The ground floor houses public areas, including the kitchen, living room, and bathroom, along with terrace spaces. Private functions, such as the master bedroom and a compact loft for guests, are located on the upper levels.

The house features carefully designed facades that balance transparency and protection. The side facades remain open to provide uninterrupted horizontal views, while the northern facade integrates timber blinds over the terraces to shield the interior from sunlight and rain. This strategic approach ensures both environmental responsiveness and a comfortable living experience in the region’s dynamic climate.

1/12

project info:

name: Shelter 45

architect: Gonzalo Rufin Arquitectos | @gonzalorufin & Felipe Toro

location: Matanzas, Chile

area: 80 square meters

completion: 2024

photography: © Pablo Casals