ARRAYAN TEXT

HOUSE IN “EL ARRAYAN” Location: Camino los refugios del Arrayan, Lo Barnechea, Santiago de Chile Architect: Enrique Browne Collaborator Architects: Claudio Peña, Andres Fravega Site Area: 4.338 m2. Constructed Area: 320 m2. Project Date: 1998

The Arrayan is a deep and extensive ravine that penetrates the skirts of the Andes Mountain Range, next to Santiago. At its feet, runs an stream which later joins the Mapocho River in crossing the city. The site, destined for a house - study, occupies a relative plateau in the north-west slope of the ravine, with splendid views in different directions. The client is a professional photographer. He required that his study had independent access and functioning. Additionally, his wife enjoys cultivating flowers and vegetables. This latter generated the central idea of the project, thus, converting the slope into garden terraces. Such terraces descend towards the east taking advantage of the views and their retaining walls would be built with rock from the stream. Below the terraces is located the rooms and the study. At the entrance, the path divides: one way leads you to the study below, whilst the other heads towards the access patio of the house, in the upper terrace. At such level is the kitchen with its service yard and the living - dining room area. This has an exit to an esplanade with a swimming pool and magnificent panoramic views. In the lower level are the bedrooms. The connections from the above with this zone are carried out with staircases and two corridors, which converge in a family room, completing the triangular circuit.