Less than a mile from the city center of Coyhaiquein along the River Simpson in Chilean Patagonia is a new home creation from Ruca Proyectos architects, called La Quimera House. Designed on traditional local architectural concepts, the dwelling was made to survive the extremes in local weather which include rain, snow, and cold for a good part of the year.
The outward face is zinc plate covered wood with few features but the narrow slit windows in the sleeping compartments. The other side, however, looks out on the vista of the river and has full floor to ceiling glass walls and an observation deck. La Quimera House is raised up off the ground. The lower floor consists of a large living area, kitchen, six bunk-like sleeping berths, a larger master bedroom and the aforementioned large deck. Under the vaulted roof, the second floor is open and also leads to an observation area. Everything in this design leads the focus to the river and the magnificent scenery it provides as a backdrop to life in this little piece of South American paradise.
