Shou Sugi Ban Mountain Refuge in Chilean Andes

Chilean studio Del Rio Arquitectos Asociados (DRAA) has created a tall, V-shaped cabin with exterior walls wrapped in shou sugi ban charred wood and large windows that provide expansive views of the rugged terrain.

La Dacha Mountain Refuge is located in Las Trancas Valley, a ski town within Nevados de Chillan – a mountainous area that features several active stratovolcanoes.

Perched on a gently sloping site, the multi-story cabin is designed to be highly efficient and to offer views of the scenery, according to DRAA, which is based in Santiago.

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“Located among native woodland overlooking the impressive Nevados de Chillan volcanic complex, La Dacha Mountain Refuge is the result of a site-specific design that combines space programming with high-thermal efficiency.”

DRAA

Roughly V-shaped in plan, the 140-square-metre cabin rises up from a half-hectare site studded with trees. The building is oriented in a way that capitalises on the path of the sun, while a highly insulated perimeter and a thermally massive core help reduce energy usage.

The cabin’s exterior walls are clad in pine planks that are charred using the Japanese technique of shou sugi ban. Burning the wood helps increase its resistance to insects and decay. Behind the timber cladding are structural insulated panels, or SIPs, which were assembled on-site during the warm months. Generous windows, particularly on the north and west, bring in ample light and offer framed views of the wooded terrain.

“La Dacha follows passive-design principles in a concentrated, vertical and highly insulated refuge that mingles among a pristine mountain landscape.”

DRAA

Public zones were situated in the upper levels, while private areas were placed below. The main entrance is located on the middle floor, which is accessed via a wood bridge. The middle level features a wood-burning masonry stove – called a kachelofen – that stores heat in its thick walls. A single load of wood can generate a significant amount of warmth throughout the day.

“This ancient technique, common in central Europe, becomes a prototype for southern Chile, where wood consumption and pollution are becoming crucial issues.”

DRAA

Inside, earthly materials such as stone and wood give the cabin a rustic atmosphere. Walls are wrapped in warm-toned lingue wood, which is native to the region.

Photography courtesy of Nico Saieh (autumn shots) and Felipe Camus (winter shots).