Project Scope

This project combines a horse riding facility and a private residence in a high-altitude setting without cutting down a single tree. It was designed with diverse interior climate zones and energy-efficient building strategies. The aim is to create an environmentally harmonious living space that minimizes its impact while promoting comfort and a sustainable lifestyle in balance with its surroundings.

While mass timber may not be widely used in the region, it offers an ideal solution for addressing seismic activity, water scarcity, and the challenges of remote building sites. A locally adapted form of mass timber framing, paired with aerated concrete masonry, proves more effective than emulating North American or European approach that relies on large-scale CLT construction. This design approach is better suited to the local context in both scale and production capabilities.

Concept and Values

"La montaña” sits alone in a dense forest: quiet. moist. and alive. Stone wood and moss. Dirt. fallen leaves and soft bark. Light filters through the pine needles and makes a hazey atmosphere that floats gently above the forest floor. Fresh water floats above sea water the same way, swaying and blurring the boundary between the two. Like a mound of boulders, La Montana pierces through these two layers and creates a sense of place.

Status

Ongoing - SD Completed, currently working on permitting and design development.