Description
Mathias Klotz has a vast array of buildings to his name but is internationally chiefly known for his large portfolio of residential buildings. Casa Techos is located in the beautiful lake region of Bariloche, northern Patagonia. Although Bariloche is a remote region, its topographic and climatic conditions make it attractive for tourism throughout the year. During the winter months it is a popular ski resort while, in the summer time, it is a fashionable destination for trekkers and water sports aficionados (although the average temperature of the water is 7°C). Since the area was developing rapidly, the regional government imposed strict building regulations to prevent excessive construction of holiday homes and to maintain a certain visual homogeneity in the town and its surrounding areas. These require all new constructions to have inclined roofs at a minimum gradient of 26° in order to allow the access of natural light.
This regulation presented Klotz with a challenge considering that most of his buildings have flat roofs. In addition, it was also specified that new constructions must have views of the lake and the forest. As a response to the regulations, Klotz designed a series of small roofs rather than a double pitch (hence the name – techos means roofs in Spanish). The multiple roofs permit more access of natural light from the north (as this is the southern hemisphere), while the house opens towards the lake on the south side. The construction of the multiple roofs required an intricate metal structure which remains exposed in the interior of the house.
The programme was divided in two levels: the upper level contains all the living areas and accommodation while the lower level contains the services and the swimming pool. Simultaneously, each level was divided in two halves. The eastern part of the upper level is social and includes the kitchen. The west side of this level contains the bedrooms and a small family room separate from the main social area. A similar distribution is repeated on the lower level where the swimming pool and gymnasium lie on the east, below the social area, and the guest bedroom is on the west side, below the living quarters. Despite the sheer size of the house and the programmatic complexity of a luxury holiday home, Klotz was able to create a sense of intimacy and homeliness.
South elevation
West elevation
Interior view at entrance
Interior view of social area at upper level
Originally published in: Felipe Hernández, Beyond Modernist Masters. Contemporary Architecture in Latin America, Birkhäuser, 2009.