Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Jul 14, 2025

A Remote Chilean Cabin Appears to Float Above the Forest Floor

A Remote Chilean Cabin Appears to Float Above the Forest Floor

In the Andes, architect Sergio Araneda creates an ecological refuge that embraces the surrounding woods and treads lightly on the land.

In Chile-a country known for its natural beauty-Malalcahuello is something of a hidden gem. Located in the heart of the Araucanía Region, about 400 miles south of Santiago, the mountainous town is home to two national reserves rich with evergreen forests and dramatic landscapes dominated by volcanoes, streams, and lakes.

It’s an environment that’s at once imposing and inspiring, not to mention extremely challenging to build in-just ask architect Sergio Araneda of SAA Arquitectura + Territorio, who recently completed a home in Malalcahuello for a couple from Santiago.



Architect Sergio Araneda designed a contemporary timber-wrapped cabin on a remote site in Malalcahuello, Chile.



The home is surrounded by a dense, ancient forest that Araneda embraced and preserved with an environmentally friendly design that incorporates natural ventilation and maximizes sunlight.

His firm is dedicated to working in Patagonia, calling it "a privilege and a huge responsibility" to design and build in such a fragile landscape-and it was this deep understanding of the region that attracted these clients.

"We chose them for their holistic approach to solving complex issues," say the owners, noting that Araneda’s firm understands "that the territory it inhabits is as important as the house itself. They are genuinely environmentally conscious and design with a vision for future generations."



The Malalcahuello region is known for its dramatic landscapes with thick forests, lakes, streams, and volcanoes. It is home to two nature reserves.



The home is elevated to protect it from humidity, provide ventilation, and preserve the biodiversity of the forest floor.

The couple had left the city during the pandemic, and they wanted a home where they could connect with the forests and mountains. Araneda embraced the remote landscape with a timber-clad residence that appears to float above the ground.

Two volumes-one for bedrooms and bathrooms, the other for living and common spaces-sit at a slight angle to each other, connected by a glass hallway that offers views of the surrounding trees.



Public and private spaces are split between two volumes, connected by a transparent hallway that lets in light and views.



The hallway looks out onto a small alcove beside the wraparound deck.



A built-in fire pit on the deck is shielded from the elements by the roof overhang.

A large wraparound deck and elevated walkway extend the home into the dense, ancient forest, which Araneda took great care to conserve. The 15.75" elevation of the structure not only allows for natural ventilation and humidity control, but it protects the biodiversity of the forest floor.

The region experiences heavy snowfall, so the roof membrane was designed with a strong hardwood that can withstand falling branches, a common occurrence in the winter.



The home has more than 850 square feet of terrace space.



The interior measures 1,290 square feet, with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an open living/kitchen area.



Walls of Thermopane windows allow for a sunny interior while providing superior insulation against colder temperatures.

The home is oriented in relation to the movement of the sun, and walls of windows let daylight stream in, while framing the local "art"-the native robles, coigües and raulis trees of southern Chile.

"Connecting with nature stimulates and balances your senses," say the owners, "and this house achieves that aim."



Local carpenters were employed to build the home.



A ray of light illuminates the home’s bunk room.



The cabin’s elevated entrance path winds between existing trees.



A furry friend rests on the deck of the Coyan Refuge.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Air India Pilot’s Mental Health Records Under Scrutiny
Google Secures Windsurf AI Coding Team in $2.4 Billion Licence Deal
Jamie Dimon Warns Europe Is Losing Global Competitiveness and Flags Market Complacency
South African Police Minister Suspended Amid Organised Crime Allegations
Nvidia CEO Claims Chinese Military Reluctance to Use US AI Technology
Hong Kong Advances Digital Asset Strategy to Address Economic Challenges
Australia Rules Out Pre‑commitment of Troops, Reinforces Defence Posture Amid US‑China Tensions
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
U.S. Resumes Deportations to Third Countries After Supreme Court Ruling
Excavation Begins at Site of Mass Grave for Children at Former Irish Institution
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
EU Delays Retaliatory Tariffs Amid New U.S. Threats on Imports
Trump Defends Attorney General Pam Bondi Amid Epstein Memo Backlash
Renault Shares Drop as CEO Luca de Meo Announces Departure Amid Reports of Move to Kering
Senior Aides for King Charles and Prince Harry Hold Secret Peace Summit
Anti‑Semitism ‘Normalised’ in Middle‑Class Britain, Says Commission Co‑Chair
King Charles Meets David Beckham at Chelsea Flower Show
If the Department is Really About Justice: Ghislaine Maxwell Should Be Freed Now
NYC Candidate Zohran Mamdani’s ‘Antifada’ Remarks Spark National Debate on Political Language and Economic Policy
President Trump Visits Flood-Ravaged Texas, Praises Community Strength and First Responders
From Mystery to Meltdown, Crisis Within the Trump Administration: Epstein Files Ignite A Deepening Rift at the Highest Levels of Government Reveals Chaos, Leaks, and Growing MAGA Backlash
Trump Slams Putin Over War Death Toll, Teases Major Russia Announcement
Reparations argument crushed
Rainmaker CEO Says Cloud Seeding Paused Before Deadly Texas Floods
A 92-year-old woman, who felt she doesn't belong in a nursing home, escaped the death-camp by climbing a gate nearly 8 ft tall
French Journalist Acquitted in Controversial Case Involving Brigitte Macron
Elon Musk’s xAI Targets $200 Billion Valuation in New Fundraising Round
Kraft Heinz Considers Splitting Off Grocery Division Amid Strategic Review
Trump Proposes Supplying Arms to Ukraine Through NATO Allies
EU Proposes New Tax on Large Companies to Boost Budget
Trump Imposes 35% Tariffs on Canadian Imports Amid Trade Tensions
Junior Doctors in the UK Prepare for Five-Day Strike Over Pay Disputes
US Opens First Rare Earth Mine in Over 70 Years in Wyoming
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Biden’s Doctor Pleads the Fifth to Avoid Self-Incrimination on President’s Medical Fitness
Grok Chatbot Faces International Backlash for Antisemitic Content
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
×