House CO / Estudio Base Arquitectos

Architects: Estudio Base Arquitectos
Area: 310 m²
Year: 2024
Photography: Marcos Zegers
City: Santo Domingo
Country: Chile

House CO by Estudio Base Arquitectos is a coastal residence in Santo Domingo designed for both intimacy and adaptability. Conceived for a couple who desired a tranquil retreat with the ability to host family and friends, the home reinterprets the traditional seaside dwelling through its layered spatial organization and material contrasts. Built on a long, narrow plot distant from the shoreline, the house rises subtly from the landscape to frame the distant sea. A semi-buried base and an elevated second story optimize space and light while providing shelter from coastal winds. The interplay of concrete, wood, and glass anchors the structure within its environment, balancing robustness and transparency. Through thoughtful detailing and careful site response, House CO becomes a refined exploration of flexibility and permanence along Chile’s central coast.

In Santo Domingo, a quiet coastal enclave in Chile’s Valparaíso region, Estudio Base Arquitectos has created House CO, a residence that redefines adaptability within a domestic setting. Commissioned by a couple seeking a permanent seaside retreat, the project was envisioned to accommodate the routines of two people while remaining capable of expanding for larger gatherings. The architects addressed this duality through a spatial strategy that prioritizes fluidity and structural clarity.

The site’s geometry—long, narrow, and nearly flat—posed a particular challenge: to capture distant ocean views without exceeding the site’s height constraints. The design response was to partially embed the house into the terrain, creating a protected lower volume that supports a lighter, more transparent upper structure. This decision not only maximized the allowed height but also created sheltered courtyards, drawing natural light deep into the interior and establishing a serene microclimate shielded from the coastal winds.

At the heart of the design stands the staircase, conceived as a vertical “light box” that links all levels both visually and spatially. Extending from the subterranean parking area to the private suite above, it serves as an architectural spine, regulating light and movement throughout the house. Its translucent quality ensures continuity between spaces while emphasizing the interplay between solidity and openness that defines the project.

The program unfolds across three levels. The basement accommodates parking and service spaces, maintaining the clarity of the upper floors. The main level integrates the social areas with the courtyard, encouraging interaction between interior and exterior environments. Above, the second floor is reserved for the master bedroom, designed as a compact and elevated retreat oriented toward the horizon. Here, an expansive window captures the sea views, transforming the landscape into a living backdrop.

Materially, House CO reflects a dialogue between permanence and lightness. The lower floors are constructed in exposed concrete, anchoring the building firmly to its site. Above, a wood-clad steel structure introduces warmth and tactility, softening the composition and harmonizing with the natural surroundings. Large glass panels articulate the facades, allowing abundant daylight to filter through while reflecting the shifting tones of the landscape at dusk.

Through its nuanced balance of enclosure and openness, House CO stands as a contemporary interpretation of coastal living. Estudio Base Arquitectos has crafted a home that embraces the demands of daily life and seasonal occupation with equal grace, transforming a challenging plot into a poetic synthesis of form, light, and landscape.