.... Chile .... Cristián Irarrázaval

Cristián Irarrázaval Andrews : Glenn Murcutt Master Class 2009

[ holiday house : rural : lakeside ]

Casa Las Trancas,

Coñaripe, Lake Calafquen, IX Region, Chile

Las Trancas house is the first of a series of new constructions on this site. It is a starting point for the ‘colonization’ of this property, located on the banks of lake Calafquen near Coñaripe. A virgin place, which must be respected.

For this first construction, the project’s logic had to be as fitting to local knowledge as possible, because due to the terrain’s characteristics and the difficulties of access, most of the materials, techniques and workmanship used would have to be local, presenting a somewhat technically atemporal construction.

On the other hand, architecturally, the house had to be able to mutate or adapt, because of it being the starting point of a development project, there was no way of foreseeing what uses it would be given today or in the future.

It presents the construction of a wooden pavilion, mounted on stilts, on a very steep site, located close to the lake shore. Meant for various and flexible uses, which may vary within time according to future requirements.

Programmatically, a service volume is built. It stands as support or back up for the free-plan which, thanks to a sliding panel system, can be divided into different spaces when required.

In response to the heavy weather conditions of the area, a sloping roof structure is projected to shelter the interior, the walls step back on three of its corners forming a ledged perimeter for protection against heavy rain or sun conditions.

Cristián Irarrázaval Andrews

http://www.cristianirarrazaval.com

www.ozetecture.org

Lindsay Johnston7 June 2016

Juan Carlos Eugene Soler : Glenn Murcutt Master Class 2001

54th Central Glass International Design Competition, Tokyo, Japan

‘Architecture That Generates New Sakariba’ - 2019

The Japanese ‘Central Glass International Design Competitions’ have been run each year since 1966. The 2019 competition attracted 188 international entries. Seven were shortlisted and Eugene’s entry was placed second.

[ theoretical proposition, metaphor, solar energy, technology, sustainability, community ]

‘MOON LANDING’

It is in our deepest primal instinct as social beings that people gather in a communal place that gives us a sense of culture and belonging. We gather around the warmth and wonder of campfire under the stars and share memories and stories. Or by day, under the cool shade of a tree- a natural place to meet a lover or exchange knowledge. Such place that delivers these conditions perhaps is the genesis of ‘Sakariba’.

The proposal is a massive balloon structure that can create and harness energy from the Sun whilst defining space underneath its volume, where people of all ages can gather to meet, play or ‘hangout’. The ‘Moon Landing’ hopes to create a central place for gathering where business and commerce are encouraged and generate ‘Sakariba’.

On a hot summer or rainy day, people can gather under its shade. On a cloudy day, the balloon structure can rise above the clouds where it can efficiently harness energy from the Sun. At night, it becomes a light source and a signal to attract people and when it descends it creates a space where people can gather around its warm glow. The ‘Moon Landing’ has all these features at the same time providing sustainable energy to its local community.

This idea is not science fiction but actually a very feasible means of efficiently combining what is currently being developed in balloon technology, sustainability, science and art. What is new is the realignment of technology to create a more poetic and meaningful purpose to reinvigoration local culture, religion, myths and stories, which is appropriate when it needs to be integrated in local communities. Especially to the 25% of the world’s population which has no or lack access to electricity. Such space offers a wonderful chance for the community to be activated, bring people together and encourage businesses and various activities.

By combining a strong metaphor with technology and sustainability- the proposal hopes to address not only the community’s basic needs but also hopes to give a deep importance and meaning in local culture and tradition to bring people together and organically for business growth and generate a ‘New Sakariba’

Moreover, in a world where we have Internet connection but seem to be ‘disconnected’- the ‘Moon Landing’ can be a benefit to existing ‘Sakariba’ not only to reduce the abundant energy we are drowning in, but also to remind us to look up and realize our place in the Universe and encourage real connection with each other.

Architect : Eugene Soler

Awards : 54th Central Glass International Design Competition _ Second Place

Web site : http://www.ateliersoler.com

OZ.E.TECTURE

architects thinking locally acting globally

www.ozetecture.org