Chilean lake house is split into two timber-clad volumes

Two generations are connected by a gallery in Split House, built by Hsu-Rudolphy on the shores of the Rupanco lake, Chile.

Split House sits on small site, on a gentle slope rolling into the waters of Rupanco Lake in the country's Los Lagos region. The vacation residence designed by Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos features wooden surfaces that pack the building, framing the nearby lake and the Osorno volcano.

Casa Lago Rupanco, or Split House Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos, Chile, 2018.

Photo Ian Hsü

Casa Lago Rupanco, or Split House Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos, Chile, 2018.

Photo Ian Hsü

Casa Lago Rupanco, or Split House Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos, Chile, 2018.

Photo Ian Hsü

Casa Lago Rupanco, or Split House Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos, Chile, 2018.

Photo Ian Hsü

Casa Lago Rupanco, or Split House Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos, Chile, 2018.

Photo Ian Hsü

Casa Lago Rupanco, or Split House Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos, Chile, 2018.

Photo Ian Hsü

Casa Lago Rupanco, or Split House Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos, Chile, 2018.

Photo Ian Hsü

Casa Lago Rupanco, or Split House Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos, Chile, 2018.

Photo Ian Hsü

Casa Lago Rupanco, or Split House Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos, Chile, 2018.

Photo Ian Hsü

Casa Lago Rupanco, or Split House Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos, Chile, 2018.

Photo Ian Hsü

Casa Lago Rupanco, or Split House Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos, Chile, 2018.

Photo Ian Hsü

Casa Lago Rupanco, or Split House Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos, Chile, 2018.

Photo Ian Hsü

Casa Lago Rupanco, or Split House Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos, Chile, 2018.

Photo Ian Hsü

Casa Lago Rupanco, or Split House Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos, Chile, 2018.

Photo Ian Hsü

Casa Lago Rupanco, or Split House Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos, Chile, 2018.

Photo Ian Hsü

Casa Lago Rupanco, or Split House Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos, Chile, 2018.

Photo Ian Hsü

Casa Lago Rupanco, or Split House Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos, Chile, 2018.

Planimetria del primo piano. Courtesy Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos

Casa Lago Rupanco, or Split House Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos, Chile, 2018.

Second floor plan. Courtesy Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos

Casa Lago Rupanco, or Split House Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos, Chile, 2018.

Roof plan. Courtesy Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos

Casa Lago Rupanco, or Split House Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos, Chile, 2018.

Elevations and views of the building. Courtesy Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos

Dealing with a difficult to access site, the studio made use of local workers and relied on an established building system to complete the project.

A pilework designed according to a regular grid lifts the structure, which is formed from wood. The only exceptions are represented by steel elements used punctually, in the spaces with the largest heights, and by the corrugated metal sheets that clad the roofs of the volumes and gallery.

Casa Lago Rupanco, or Split House, Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos, Chile, 2018. Photo Ian Hsü

The partners of the studio, Ian Hsü and Gabriel Rudolphy, have previously experimented with wood construction. As part of this body of work, Gabriel Rudolphy designed Hostal Ritoque and Casa SIP Panel in collaboration with Alejandro Soffia.

The genesis of the project takes its cue from the client’s request to have separate areas for the adults and the children. This starting point has been then accommodated to meet the topography of the site and enhanced views on the surrounding natural landscape.

Animation illustrating the genesis of the volumes of Casa Lago Rupanco. Courtesy Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos

With its 270 sqm, the building features two large living areas on the ground floor, each one completed by a large terrace overlooking the water. The ‘adult’s volume’ presents a double-height living room and a double bedroom at this floor, while a master bedroom is hosted on the upper floor. The upper level of the ‘children’s volume’ contains two double bedrooms.

  • Casa Lago Rupanco, o Split House
  • Lago Rupanco, Chile
  • vacation house
  • Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos
  • Ian Hsü, Gabriel Rudolphy
  • Sandrine Muñoz
  • 270 sqm
  • 2018