Casa Tumán: A Surfer’s Retreat in the Chilean Mountains
Casa Tumán, a holiday home located in central Chile, fuses together contemporary architecture design motifs in respect to vernacular tropes. Designed by Amsterdam-based Studio Selva, this small villa draws inspiration from traditional Chilean farmhouses while incorporating modern and eco-friendly features. The result is a stunning retreat that not only caters to the needs of surfers but also establishes a deep connection with its natural environment.
A Surfer’s Retreat
“The idea came from observing the lifestyle of the surfers, who spend most of their time in the open air, playing music, making barbecues, or just chilling in the evenings,” Selbing shared.
Casa Tumán sits 175 kilometers southwest of Santiago in the central coastal region of Chile, providing easy access to the nearby Puertecillo beach. The villa’s primary purpose is to serve as a tailor-made holiday home for the architect’s family and surfers, designed to accommodate their outdoor-oriented lifestyle.
The designers utilize a modular layout to maximize functionality within the limited floor area. The architects cleverly divided the small 50 sqm floor plan into six modules: four bedrooms, one bathroom, and one kitchen module. Built-in furniture and storage solutions maximize space efficiency, maintaining a clean, minimalist aesthetic. Each bedroom has its own access to a covered terrace, functioning as a common area with breathtaking views of the sea.
Hanging Loose With The Locals and Nature
Casa Tumán’s construction relies mostly on locally sourced materials and labor. Construction using eucalyptus screens, straw bale infill walls, and clay plaster presented a unique opportunity to merge old techniques with a fresh insight. Additionally, the use of natural materials and the integration of the building with the landscape create a harmonious and unobtrusive presence that respects the beauty of the surrounding environment.
The use of straw and clay creates an excellent indoor climate in the humid region by providing insulation and absorbing moisture from the ocean, naturally regulating the building’s internal environment. Eucalyptus screens surrounding the exterior provide privacy and shade while allowing natural ventilation.The gabled roof design is reminiscent of traditional agricultural buildings, further emphasizing the connection to the local vernacular architecture.
The villa’s attention to detail and craftsmanship is evident throughout the project. Exposed wooden beams and rafters, as a result of post-and-beam construction, is in line with what the locals are used to constructing. The intermelding of materials, such as the transition from wooden flooring to clay plaster walls, forms a cohesive and cozy environment for its users.
In summary, the design minimizes the building’s environmental impact while creating an inspired take on the local vernacular architecture.
A Natural Refuge by the Beach
Casa Tumán stands as a refuge that invites surfers to ride the waves of Chile. By embracing local materials, passive design strategies, and a deep understanding of the surfer lifestyle, Studio Selva has created a holiday home that is both environmentally responsible and culturally sensitive. This small but mighty villa highlights how architecture can be a catalyst for positive change, inspiring a more sustainable and fulfilling way of living.
Read more: The Lark: A Re-Imagining of Plaza Life
Photos by Nico Saieh
