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Iragüen Viñuela Arquitectos completes mass-timber forest retreat in Chile

architecture-design · 2026-08-17

Iragüen Viñuela Arquitectos, a Chilean architectural firm, has finalized the House by Fuy River, a 150-square-metre wooden retreat located in the Andean foothills of southern Chile for a couple from Santiago. Nestled on an 8,000-square-metre plot adjacent to the Fuy River and near the Huilo-Huilo biological reserve, the residence is designed with three levels and a hipped roof to reduce its environmental impact and protect local flora. Constructed entirely from glued-laminated timber, the elements were prefabricated off-site. The design incorporates pre-painted metal siding and expansive glass curtain walls. Guest rooms occupy the ground floor, while the first floor features an open-plan kitchen and living space, and the top floor houses the main bedroom and sauna. The project was led by Daniel Iragüen, Claudio Viñuela, and their team.

Key facts

  • House by Fuy River is a 150-square-metre mass-timber retreat in the Andean foothills of Chile.
  • Designed by Iragüen Viñuela Arquitectos for a Santiago-based couple.
  • Located on an 8,000-square-metre site near the Huilo-Huilo biological reserve, bordering the Fuy River.
  • The house is organized vertically across three levels to engage with the forest canopy and minimize footprint.
  • Structure is entirely glued-laminated timber, CNC-machined and prefabricated off-site.
  • Full-height structural frames for east and west facades were transported fully assembled.
  • Interior features pine board flooring, porcelain tiles over concrete radiant floor, and exposed mass timber.
  • Lead architects: Daniel Iragüen and Claudio Viñuela; CNC fabrication by Timber Ingeniería.
  • Photography by Marcos Zegers and Mauro Pesce.

Entities

Artists

  • Daniel Iragüen
  • Claudio Viñuela
  • Víctor Cárcamo
  • Pablo Ñanco
  • Leonardo Jaramillo
  • Marcos Zegers
  • Mauro Pesce

Institutions

  • Iragüen Viñuela Arquitectos
  • Timber Ingeniería
  • Dezeen

Locations

  • Chile
  • Santiago
  • Andean foothills
  • Fuy River
  • Huilo-Huilo biological reserve

Sources