Curved Walls House by Schwember García-Huidobro Arquitectos

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This article covers topics related to Architecture, Housing. Curved Walls House in Chile combines timber roof, brick thermal mass, and curved design, ensuring natural cooling, shade, and sustainable living.

Curved Walls House in Chile combines timber roof, brick thermal mass, and curved design, ensuring natural cooling, shade, and sustainable living.

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UNI Editorial published Story under Architecture, Housing on Sep 7, 2025

A Sustainable One-Story Residence in Chicureo, Chile

Located on the outskirts of Santiago, in the Chicureo sector of Chile, the Curved Walls House by Schwember García-Huidobro Arquitectos is a striking example of contemporary residential architecture that blends climatic responsiveness with sculptural form. Completed in 2020 and spanning 272 m², the house was designed to adapt to the Mediterranean climate of central Chile, where summers are long, dry, and intensely hot.

Climatic Context and Design Intent

One of the client’s primary requests was a home that remained naturally cool during summer, minimizing reliance on artificial cooling. The architects approached this challenge through two key strategies:

Shade and Ventilation – provided by a large ventilated wooden roof with deep overhangs.
Thermal Mass – achieved through thick brick walls that store and release heat, stabilizing indoor temperatures.

The house is organized as a single-story residence facing northeast, ensuring optimal orientation for natural light while minimizing direct solar exposure.

The Roof: A Floating Wooden Canopy

The most distinctive feature of the project is its expansive wooden roof, designed as a modular structure fabricated with numerical control technology. Built from laminated timber trusses and supported by a rhythm of pillars spaced every 1.8 meters, the roof hovers over the brick volumes below, creating a sense of lightness while ensuring efficient solar protection.

The wide eaves act as passive cooling devices, preventing direct sunlight from entering during summer while allowing soft winter light to penetrate. The ventilated gap beneath the roof further enhances natural airflow, keeping the interiors fresh and comfortable.

Curved Walls and Thermal Performance

In contrast to the light timber roof, the curved brick walls provide solidity and thermal stability. Independent from the roof’s structure, these walls define the interior spaces of the house, shaping both private and communal areas.

The public zone includes the open-plan living room, dining area, and kitchen, which flow seamlessly and connect visually to the garden.
The private zone accommodates bedrooms and intimate spaces, carefully separated to ensure privacy and acoustic comfort.

The use of exposed brick not only contributes to energy efficiency but also adds a tactile warmth to the interiors, contrasting beautifully with the structural timber elements.

A Dialogue Between Nature and Architecture

The Curved Walls House demonstrates how architectural form and materiality can respond to environmental challenges without compromising aesthetics. Its design balances shade, airflow, and thermal storage, making it a model for sustainable living in hot climates.

Beyond functionality, the house celebrates a sculptural dialogue between curved masonry and linear timber, giving it a strong architectural identity within the suburban landscape of Chicureo.