Japanese and Chilean Architects Collaborate to Design Houses for the Ochoalcubo Project

Kengo Kuma's proposal. Image Courtesy of Ochoalcubo

Ochoalcubo (Eight-Cubed) is a pioneering project in Chile that seeks to unite

leading Chilean and Japanese practices with ground-breaking architecture. The

collaborative enterprise was started by Eduardo Godoy, a design impresario who

began working in Chile in the 1980s and who has always been a strong advocate for

innovative design and architecture in the country. For a nation that boasts more

than forty individual schools of architecture, the ever growing number of

professionals seems to have had a relatively small impact on Chilean cities. Faced

with the seemingly infinite landscape of 'cookie-cutter housing' in the suburbs,

Godoy implemented Ochoalcubo in order to provide opportunities for young

professionals, alongside fostering a new kind of appreciation for the profession

itself. With a large number of architects having taken part in the first stage,

including Smiljan Radic (designer of the 2014 Serpentine Pavilion),

the third andfourth stage of what is certainly one of the world's largest active

architectural laboratories will be launched in the coming days.

See images from all sixteen proposals from third and fourth stages of

the Ochoalcubo project, including those by SANAA, Sou Fujimoto, Kengo

Kuma, Alejandro Aravena and Atelier Bow Wow, after the break.Bookmark this picture!

Max Núñez's proposal. Image Courtesy of Ochoalcubo

The third stage of Ochoalcubo, led by the Japanese architects, and the fourth, led by

the Chilean architects, will develop simultaneously along 800 meters of coastline,

occupying the cliffs, bays and rock formations of a place known as Ochoquebradas.

The architects received instructions to follow guidelines that include the directive to

use concrete as a primary material (over a surface area of 250 m2 per each house).

The dialogue between the individual projects is most important, considering the

harmony of the whole and the relationship Ochoquebradas geographic attributes.

The location for this living experiment is at a site overlooking the Pacific Ocean, four

kilometres south of Los Vilos, Región de Coquimbo, Chile. Occurring parallel to this

Japanese/Chilean laboratory of architecture, a second development--whose mission

will provide even more opportunities for architects--is also underway. A total of 800

hectares located behind the “laboratory” will be the site of a sustainably-designed

city comprised of both individual and grouped residences and will be designed by

young international and Chilean architects. For these houses, wood will be the

primary material.Bookmark this picture!

WMR's proposal. Image Courtesy of Ochoalcubo

The 8Quebradas (Eight Cliffs) project, masterplanned by urbanist Roberto Moris,

will develop the southern territory of the city of Los Vilos under a model of low

impact and respect for the characteristics of the area. The master plan is motivated

by the enhancement of natural heritage, taking care of the relationship between

architecture and landscape. The project aims to develop a harmonious relationship

with Los Vilos by devoting a high percentage of territory to public spaces, parks and

protected areas. The most notable locations have been recognized as important

landmarks and will be maintained as public spaces.Bookmark this picture!

Junya Ishigami's proposal. Image Courtesy of Ochoalcubo

Ochoquebradas is not treated as a subdivision, but as a project with a unique value

as an eco-innovation platform, says Moris. Invited architects are developing special

projects, which include  "Communities"; clusters of 1.5 and 2 hectares where 3 or 4

houses harmonize not only with each other, but also with the geography and scenic

environment in which they are located.

Read more about the origins of the Ochoalcubo project here.

Akihisa HirataBookmark this picture!

Akihisa Hirata's proposal. Image Courtesy of OchoalcuboBookmark this picture!

Akihisa Hirata's proposal. Image Courtesy of Ochoalcubo

Alejandro AravenaBookmark this picture!

Alejandro Aravena's proposal. Image Courtesy of OchoalcuboBookmark this picture!

Alejandro Aravena's proposal. Image Courtesy of OchoalcuboBookmark this picture!

Alejandro Aravena's proposal. Image Courtesy of Ochoalcubo

Atelier Bow WowBookmark this picture!

Atelier Bow Wow's proposal. Image Courtesy of OchoalcuboBookmark this picture!

Atelier Bow Wow's proposal. Image Courtesy of OchoalcuboBookmark this picture!

Atelier Bow Wow's prop