Japanese and Chilean Architects Collaborate to

Design Houses for the Ochoalcubo Project

o Kuma's proposal. Image Courtesy of Ochoalcubo

Keng

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.

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Nez's proposal. Image Courtesy of Ochoalcubo

Max

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, Regin 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.

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s proposal. Image Courtesy of Ochoalcubo

WMR'

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.

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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 Hirata

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sa Hirata's proposal. Image Courtesy of Ochoalcubo

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Akihi

Akihi
sa Hirata's proposal. Image Courtesy of Ochoalcubo

Alejandro Aravena

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Aleja
ndro Aravena's proposal. Image Courtesy of Ochoalcubo

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ndro Aravena's proposal. Image Courtesy of Ochoalcubo

Aleja

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Aleja
ndro Aravena's proposal. Image Courtesy of Ochoalcubo

Atelier Bow Wow

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r Bow Wow's proposal. Image Courtesy of Ochoalcubo

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Atelie

r Bow Wow's proposal. Image Courtesy of Ochoalcubo

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Atelie

r Bow Wow's prop

Atelie