Croxatto and Opazo Architects has designed two minimalist cabins clad in reclaimed oak set high on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Navidad, Chile.
Built from recycled oak, a resistant and rustic material that blends with the landscape, the cabins both feature outdoor terraces that can connect with the interior space thanks to large doors. Croxatto and Opazo Architects strategically positioned these terraces to the north so that the cabins themselves provide protection and shelter against the wind.
"Since the footprint is small, we created a double-height space to expand the interior and make the building feel bigger than it appears," notes Croxatto. "This strategy makes it look like a great tower looking out over sea."
One of the main challenges was getting materials to the steep hillside, which initially lacked road and utility access. In the beginning, the design team worked off-grid with a water tank and electric generator as they sourced three types of local timbers.
La Loica and La Tagua were designed for two different clients, each with different requirements. "What they liked the most about the cabins was the way the buildings are related to the landscape, and the experience the buildings bring to the inhabitants in relation with nature," Croxatto said.
