Extension by Pedro Ruiz + Benjamín Smart at Lake Maipo in Chile

Project: Extension at Lake Maipo Architects: Pedro Ruiz + Benjamín Smart Location: Maipo Island, ChileArea: 861 sq ft
Year: 2019Photography: Marcos Zegers

Extension by Pedro Ruiz + Benjamín Smart at Lake Maipo in Chile

Pedro Ruiz and Benjamín Smart completed the extension project on Maipo Island in Chile. The project is a terrace structure within an indoor-outdoor compact modern housing space. The design perfectly blends with the existing building, appearing as if it had always been there.

The project includes an extension of the indoor-outdoor terrace at a house located on Maipo Island in Chile. The space is designed to look like an outdoor garden, but also remains enclosed for winter comfort. It features a living and dining area that includes the existing barbecue.

The design uses and repeats existing elements of the house. First, the steel structure helps create horizontal continuity with the main building. The height difference between this part and the roof provides an internal light well that naturally illuminates the interior spaces. The entryway of the house is repeated as a flower bed separating public and private areas. This element was extended to connect the garden with the new living room.

Wooden lattice was another important component of the house. It was used to finish the project, creating a floating volume that encompasses the green area opening into the dining room. Using the same construction system, a sliding wall covers the entire project site, controlling solar exposure during the day. At the same time, a sliding window system allows the entire project to be fully opened to the garden for year-round use.

-Pedro Ruiz + Benjamín Smart