House with Lucarna: A Passive Cooling House Design for the Chilean Climate

Architecture That Breathes With the Landscape

Designed by Paralelo Transversal, the House with Lucarna exemplifies intelligent passive cooling house design in a hot climate zone on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile. This 302 m² residence addresses extreme heat not with mechanical systems but through architectural strategy—using the layout, materials, and carefully integrated natural elements to create a livable, energy-efficient home.

A Home Shaped by Climate and Comfort

Located in a high-temperature region, Casa con Lucarna is designed to stay cool without relying on air conditioning. The architects prioritized natural ventilation, integrating patios and internal gardens that not only divide the house functionally—separating public areas, guest rooms, and private suites—but also promote airflow and regulate temperature. These vegetated spaces work as green lungs, drawing in cool air and pushing out heat through convection.

This natural system is reinforced by thoughtful spatial zoning. The design encourages cross ventilation across all areas, making the movement of air a fundamental element of comfort. The patios are more than visual or experiential features—they’re key climate moderators in the home’s ecological performance.

Light, Not Heat: A Skylight That Cools

A defining feature of the home is the large, south-facing skylight—called the "lucarna"—which interrupts the otherwise horizontal layout. This semi-translucent element floods the core living, kitchen, and dining areas with natural light, eliminating the need for artificial lighting during the day. But more importantly, it’s oriented and designed to avoid overheating, directing light without trapping heat.

The interplay of shadow and light adds a poetic quality to the interior, while also improving environmental performance. Overhangs and louvers further manage solar exposure, with the east façade protecting against the harsh afternoon sun and the south façade offering privacy and shade for service areas.

Elevated for Efficiency

Constructed in steel and elevated 20 cm above ground level, the house promotes underfloor ventilation that aids in passive cooling. This raised structure not only minimizes contact with the heated ground but also allows for acoustic dampening through structural slabs. The use of commercially available material dimensions also optimizes construction costs, making the project both financially and environmentally sustainable.

The simplicity of the materials—steel, wood, and glass—enhances thermal performance while creating a grounded, minimalist aesthetic. Strategic louvers on the façades operate as dynamic climate-responsive skins, moderating sun exposure and ensuring privacy without blocking airflow.

A Dialogue With the Environment

More than just a shelter, House with Lucarna engages in an ongoing dialogue with its environment. Its design is guided by a deep understanding of light, temperature, and the human need for comfort. Every architectural gesture—whether the placement of a patio, the slope of a roof, or the angle of a louver—is rooted in the principles of passive cooling house design.

This is a house built not just to exist in a hot climate but to thrive in it—demonstrating that good design is not only beautiful and functional but also deeply responsive.

All Photographs are works of Marcos Zegers