Residential SERIES • Project FEATURE
Heritage. A Multifamily Housing Project – Casa YB by Augusto Domínguez
Architecture is the thoughtful creation of spaces that embody cultural heritage, environmental harmony, and modern functionality.
Architecture is the thoughtful creation of spaces that embody cultural heritage, environmental harmony, and modern functionality.
"Blending pragmatic design with sensory experience and geographical context creates a living space that is both timeless and deeply rooted in its environment."
The design begins with a square floor plan centered around an enclosed patio, framed on three sides by artificial boundaries and geographically by the Andes Mountains. This patio, with its clay tile pavement and glass enclosures, sits on a 60 cm zócalo to protect against moisture and elevate the house towards the mountains.
The clay tiles in the patio transform it into a dust-free oasis in the summer and a mud-free zone in the winter. A water-filled strip around the patio creates a reflective surface that mirrors the mountainous horizon, serving as a thermal stabilizer during the hot months.
Incorporating natural elements into the architectural design enhances the living experience, creating spaces that are visually appealing and thermally efficient.
The glazed galleries surrounding the patio reflect the orchard, expanding the visual and organic horizon and ensuring privacy by concealing the house's interior. The wooden pillars supporting the glass provide a panoramic transparency that shortens perceived distances and manipulates the sense of time within the house.
The internal layout maintains privacy and independent thermal zones in the bedrooms, crucial for managing the region's significant seasonal temperature fluctuations. A fully retractable window in the living-dining area removes boundaries during summer, supported by a truss beam spanning nearly 12 meters.
The roof geometry is intentionally distorted to highlight the presence of the Andes, with metal-clad dormer windows breaking the tile texture to enhance illumination. These skylights, filtered through a dense array of visible trusses, complement the limited openings in the bedrooms, protecting against extreme seasonal temperatures.
In this project, the fusion of traditional and modern elements creates a multifamily housing development that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. By honoring the architectural heritage of the "Casa Chilena" and embracing contemporary design principles, this project offers a living space that is deeply connected to its cultural and environmental context, setting a new standard for residential architecture in South America.