DSP Apartments by Studio Cáceres Lazo – Redefining Urban Housing in Santiago, Chile

Located in the heart of Santiago, Chile, the DSP Apartments by Studio Cáceres Lazo represent a new vision for sustainable urban living. Completed in 2022, the 385 m² residential project responds to the city’s rapid transformation and the growing demand for high-quality housing in revitalized downtown neighborhoods.

Over the past two decades, Santiago has witnessed dramatic urban growth, with neglected areas evolving into vibrant hubs of culture, commerce, and residential life. Yet, this development has also brought rising real estate prices, rental challenges, and the risk of erasing local character. The DSP Apartments propose an alternative model — one rooted in micro-scale density, architectural innovation, and respect for community identity.

Design Concept and Structure

Built on a site once occupied by a single residence, the project demonstrates how small urban plots can accommodate diverse housing needs. The structure consists of prefabricated concrete walls and a double-tee slab system, a technique commonly used in multi-level parking structures due to its ability to span large distances without central supports. This flexibility allows each apartment typology to remain structurally and spatially independent, offering a variety of living experiences within one compact building.

Three distinct apartments are organized vertically:

A 1,730 sq. ft. duplex with a spacious backyard on the ground floor.
A 700 sq. ft. studio apartment on the second floor.
A 1,400 sq. ft. penthouse with exclusive access to the rooftop terrace.

At the core, a sculptural staircase made of white-painted steel sheets serves as a light and airy circulation element, enhancing the building’s sense of openness.

Façade and Materiality

Both the front and rear façades are cloaked in an expanded aluminum veil, providing privacy from the street while ensuring natural light and ventilation. This semi-transparent skin softens the concrete mass, creating a balance between solidity and delicacy. The system also improves energy efficiency by offering shade and reducing solar gain.

Prefabrication played a crucial role in construction efficiency. The entire structural framework was completed in under five weeks, showcasing how industrialized building methods can meet the speed, precision, and sustainability demands of contemporary urban housing.

Urban Relevance and Program

Developed under the Ochoalcubo program, known for commissioning experimental residential projects by internationally recognized architects, the DSP Apartments mark the initiative’s first entry into multi-family urban housing. This step reflects a growing interest in architectural innovation not only for second homes but also for dense metropolitan contexts where social, cultural, and environmental considerations intersect.

The DSP Apartments exemplify a forward-thinking approach to urban regeneration, sustainable housing, and architectural adaptability. By merging prefabricated technology, diverse typologies, and sensitive urban integration, Studio Cáceres Lazo has created a building that redefines how compact urban plots can respond to Santiago’s evolving residential needs.