Nestled within the lush greenery of Valdivia’s Rainforest in the Los Rios Region of Chile, the Mezzanina Cabin stands as a captivating architectural marvel. Conceived initially as a small 45-square-meter shelter adjacent to the property’s main house, this project has evolved into an exquisite blend of modern design and natural splendor.
© Felipe Westermeier
Mezzanina Cabin: A Harmonious Retreat in Valdivia’s Rainforest
The Mezzanina Cabin is strategically positioned in a sloping area of the property. It utilizes piles to elevate its structure and offer breathtaking panoramic views, especially towards the west, where the majestic Calle-Calle River flows. The architects brilliantly employed a full-glazed face to embrace this scenic landscape, crafting a visual escape through a nearly six-meter-long curtain wall. This design choice fosters a dynamic interplay between the cozy interior and the untamed wilderness outside.
© Nicolas Saieh
From the exterior, the Mezzanina Cabin exudes solidity and elegance with its dark mono-material façade, adorned with only a few essential openings, such as those in the kitchen and bathroom. While maintaining a primarily hermetic volumetric composition, the cabin’s sloping roof efficiently tackles the region’s heavy rainfall while creating a five-meter-high eastern façade that hints at an intermediate-level – the much-anticipated mezzanine.
© Nicolas Saieh
A fundamental aspect of the Mezzanina Cabin’s design was incorporating an intermediate privacy space within the mostly private habitat model. The challenge lay in harmonizing a semi-private area with the existing living space. The architects ingeniously resolved this by introducing a mezzanine into the heart of the cabin. This elevated space not only satisfied the need for a second intermittent user but also provided additional benefits, serving as a storage area, showcasing decorative elements, or even functioning as a quaint living room.
© Nicolas Saieh
The mezzanine concept encouraged conceptualizing a programmatic battery in its lower section. This battery ingeniously combines and synthesizes the most private domestic uses: a bathroom, a walk-in closet, an entrance hall, and a kitchen appliance area. This strategic design decision liberates the rest of the space, resulting in a large continuous open floor plan emphasizing openness and interconnectedness.
© Nicolas Saieh
The resulting mezzanine itself serves as a captivating living space, boasting a height of 1.4 meters on its slope. Its intentionally undefined nature invites a myriad of possibilities for its utilization. Accessible via a cat staircase situated in the entrance cubicle, which is also a part of the programmatic battery, the mezzanine acts as an elevated oasis within the cabin.
© Nicolas Saieh
Ultimately, the Mezzanina Cabin achieves two open spaces that gracefully blend privacy and openness, creating a remarkable living experience. The design eloquently balances the habitat’s primary typology with the incorporation of an intermediate area, seamlessly weaving together the elements of nature and human comfort.
© Nicolas Saieh
The Mezzanina Cabin is a testament to the innovative architectural vision and environmental integration. Set amidst the breathtaking Valdivian Rainforest, this cabin offers a haven of tranquility and harmony with its surroundings. The clever inclusion of the mezzanine not only enhances the living experience but also adds a touch of versatility to the cabin’s functional layout.
As visitors ascend the cat staircase and step onto the elevated mezzanine, they find themselves immersed in a space that transcends the ordinary, beckoning them to appreciate the beauty of the Valdivian Rainforest from a whole new perspective.
© Felipe Westermeier
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