Small House | Kåre Sørgard Architecture | Lo Barnechea, Chile

Seaside Gardens: A Dialogue Between Architecture and Landscape

Named Sjøhavn, meaning Seaside Gardens in Norwegian, this outstanding riverside house by Lightbody Architects draws inspiration from both Scandinavian simplicity and Queensland coastal architecture. Located by the tranquil Nuosá River, the house was conceived as an elegant family home tailored to its climate, balancing openness and privacy, formality and intimacy, as well as the permanence and fluidity of natural conditions.

The project's foundation lies in sensitivity to flooding conditions and a desire to create architecture that works with the landscape rather than against it.

Design Concept: The Power of Interstitial Spaces

The design interprets each functional zone as a simple, sculptural space, but the true architectural poetry unfolds in the interstitial spaces—thresholds, mezzanines, and voids—that connect and separate living zones.

This approach transforms the plan into a sequence of layered experiences:

• Main volumes define the structure and flow of the house.

• Overlapping zones form cozy retreats, quiet corners, and visual corridors.

• Interstitial spaces create moments of pause, fostering tranquility and contemplation.

These 'interstitial' spaces are not incidental—they are central to spatial perception, encouraging movement, connection, and reflection throughout the home.

Materials: Minimalism with Substance

A limited palette enhances the serene atmosphere of the house. The use of formless concrete provides both visual and thermal strength, embodying durability, sustainability, and timeless aesthetic appeal.

This material also enabled expressive structural acts—cantilevered structures, long spans, and suspended planters—blurring the boundary between architecture and garden. At the top, a gently descending greenery softens the concrete facade, creating a living envelope that dissolves the line between built and nature.

Inside, warm wooden accents and natural light balance the cascading roughness of concrete, creating an atmosphere that is earthbound yet serene.

Spatial Flow and River Connection

At the heart of the Sjøhavn house lies a two-level central space, anchoring the home both physically and perceptually. This dramatic vertical volume visually connects two floors while maintaining a clear horizontal relationship with the river beyond.

This element extends to the main outdoor relaxation terrace, shaded by a cantilever from the upper level and framed by smaller, intimate spaces on both sides—perfect for relaxation, contemplation, and solitude.

To the east, the house interacts with the river through a reimagined Queensland-style veranda, transforming an often transitional space into a place for life and social interaction.

Passive Design and Climate Adaptation

Beyond its sculptural form, the Sjøhavn house functions intelligently. The building's mass and orientation utilize passive design principles, maximizing natural ventilation, shade, and thermal efficiency.

The thermal mass of concrete stabilizes internal temperatures by absorbing and releasing heat, ensuring comfort throughout day and night. This integration of material intelligence and ecological awareness ensures the house functions harmoniously within its subtropical setting.

A Poetic Balance of Strength and Softness

The Sjøhavn house embodies the mastery of Lightbody Architects in restraint and precision. Through light, structure, and landscape, the project achieves a quiet strength—a house that appears resilient, robust, and deeply attuned to its coastal environment.

This is architecture that celebrates the spaces in between, creating beauty not through ornamentation but through proportions, materials, and the choreography of daily life.

Photo © Marcos SørgardPhoto © Marcos SørgardPhoto © Marcos SørgardPhoto © Marcos SørgardPhoto © Marcos SørgardPhoto © Marcos SørgardPhoto © Marcos SørgardPhoto © Marcos SørgardPhoto © Marcos SørgardPhoto © Marcos Sørgard