Storage House by Olympia Lira in La Condes, Chile

Project:  Storage House
Architects: Olympia Lira
Location: La Condes, Chile
Area: 3,552 sq ft
Photography: Thomas Rodriguez

Storage House by Olympia Lira

Olympia Lira designed a storage house in La Condes, Chile. This dwelling is not just a home but also a ceramic studio. The entire design of this modern 3,552 square foot house is aimed at combining these two aspects in a way that work and life are connected yet each can be independent when needed.

The client's brief was to create a studio for a potter and a home for her young, growing family. The project was meant to tie these two elements together so they had enough control over each other yet maintained sufficient independence between work and living areas. The main material in the ceramic studio is clay, which is fired to gain strength. The same process is used in brick production and was chosen as the building material, left exposed to create a connection between the physical place and what happens inside.

On the other side, the dome as an architectural element formally recalls ceramic ovens and traditional brick masonry for ceilings but this time built from a lighter material. Additionally, the dome allows for greater ceiling heights in each room without requiring tall side walls, creating cozy yet spacious interiors. The studio dome is repeated parallel and in varying lengths across the site as a system of canopies where programs are housed. Thus, the studio is a long canopy for working and teaching ceramics while the house has canopies for sleeping, playing, living, dining, cooking, and cleaning. These canopies leave spaces between them to provide passageways and integrate four existing chestnut trees.

Inside, the public areas with dining room, living room and playroom are continuous and open but each program is separated by dome ceilings that run perpendicular to one another. Different heights of supporting structures and the highest points of domes allow for openings in all directions at various levels, facilitating connection with the outside world and constant penetration of light that changes the illuminated atmosphere within the space throughout the day. Outside, the domed canopies are painted white to emphasize the texture of brick. On the other hand, movement spaces with flat roofs leave the brick visible to create a contrast between two systems. The interior finishes use noble and simple materials, just like those used in ceramic production.

–Olympia Lira