London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

A Shingle-Clad Prefab Anchors Itself on Patagonia’s Largest Lake

A Shingle-Clad Prefab Anchors Itself on Patagonia’s Largest Lake

Prefab construction makes it possible for SAA Arquitectura + Territorio to build this impressive retreat in a remote region.

In wild, rugged Patagonia, Chilean architectural firm SAA Arquitectura + Territorio has crafted a comfortable and contemporary home in a notoriously inhospitable environment where access to materials and labor is limited.



Set on the shores of Patagonia's largest lake, Casa Sombreros is located near the village of Puerto Rio Tranquilo, four hours south of Aysen Region's capital of Coyhaique.

The challenges posed by the remote terrain were a tradeoff for the site’s spellbinding beauty. The Santiago–based client selected a spot on the shores of the largest lake in Patagonia, Lake General Carrera, for its turquoise-blue waters, snow-capped granite mountains, and glittering glaciers in the distance.



The architects created a simple, shed-like refuge so as to not detract from the surrounding environment.



Large decks and walls of glass blur the boundaries between indoor/outdoor living.

To mitigate the harsh construction conditions, the architects turned to prefab construction. For strength and efficiency, SIP panels were used for the floors, walls, and roof. Local carpentry techniques were applied to the detailing, crafted with native wood, as a nod to the local Patagonian vernacular.



The exterior is entirely sheathed in shingles made from locally sourced lenga wood, a species native to the Patagonia-Andean forests.



Since the remote site and harsh climate made access to supplies and labor difficult, the architects used prefabricated materials and construction methods.

Thanks to prefabricated construction, the house was built over the course of five months and anchored directly into bedrock for a foundation strong enough to withstand the region’s unforgiving climate.



The foundations were anchored directly into bedrock.

"The main design was to make a project that could be related to the landscape, at the same time providing a comforting interior and common hierarchical spaces," say the architects, who named the house Casa Sombreros.



"An important part of the work was to design large common spaces, and to be able to receive a large number of people," note the architects. "The common spaces are designed for the coexistence between family and friends."



Coigüe timber, a species native to the Andean part of Patagonia, was used for the interior flooring. The outdoor deck is made from oak.



Local carpenters built the furnishings.

To maximize east-facing views of the lake and access to natural light, the residence is arranged as two slightly offset pavilions set parallel to the lake for northeast orientation. The volume closest to the lake extends towards the north and comprises the common areas and the master bedroom. The secondary pavilion contains four additional bedrooms linked by a long hallway with views of the lake.



Casa Sombreros comprises two interconnected, rectangular volumes parallel to the lake. The larger volume contains the living spaces and extends northwards to capture natural light.

Sheathed in wood inside and out, Casa Sombreros has a distinctly rustic feel that’s underscored by its low-profile, gabled silhouettes and use of traditional building techniques.



A long hallway connects the bedrooms and overlooks views of the lake.

"The project aspires to be timeless by way of resolving the exterior cladding with a single material, the lenga shingle, a finish which binds the house to local building traditions," explain the architects.



The view from the master bedroom deck down the length of the house.

The home’s modest footprint takes care not to disturb the land. "The architectural detail enriches the concept of a refuge by revealing its constructive will toward amplitude and transparency achieved through the steel and glass enclosing an interior which, immersed in nature, blends in instead of standing out," say the architects.



Casa Sombreros Floor Plan



Casa Sombreros Site Plan

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×