Casa Los Pinos: Wooden Structure Immersed in Chilean Landscape

Espiral Arquitectos completed Casa Los Pinos, a residence in Viña del Mar, Chile, that uses a structural grid of 26 wooden frames to define its architecture. The frames, spaced 122 cm apart, organize the entire house, creating spaces, circulations, and identity. The house is raised on stilts to minimize impact on the pine forest and natural topography. The frame heights gradually decrease from east to west, differentiating private and social areas. The 122×122 cm module optimizes commercial lumber lengths and reduces waste. Pre-assembly on site accelerated construction, and all materials were nationally sourced to lower the carbon footprint. The southern facade is opaque for privacy, while the northern side opens for light and cross ventilation. The structural grid extends outdoors to form corridors, ramps, and stairs connecting to the garden. The project demonstrates how a structural concept can become the main architectural argument, resulting in a serene, efficient home deeply tied to the Chilean landscape. This feature appears in Glocal Design Magazine's 89th edition, 'Visionarias del espacio,' which profiles 15 female architects and interior designers in Mexico, with covers by Prince Láuder and Jimena Estíbaliz.