La Perouse House by elton_léniz: A Modern Chilean Residence Rooted in Context and Craft

Nestled in the leafy district of Vitacura, Santiago, La Perouse House by elton_léniz reinterprets the principles of mid-century modern architecture within a contemporary framework. Designed by Mauricio Léniz, Mirene Elton, and Rodrigo Fernández, the house responds to both the architectural language of its 1960s neighborhood and the demands of present-day urban living. Completed in 2018, the 3-story residence carefully balances material expression, sustainability, and spatial flexibility.

Reclaiming and Rebuilding Within the Urban Fabric

Set among large plots and mature trees with sweeping views of the Andean mountains, the project replaces an existing mid-century home. However, this was not a typical teardown. The design team opted for a careful deconstruction, salvaging valuable elements—most notably, native Alerce wood—and preserving key garden trees. This decision reflects the firm’s commitment to architectural continuity and environmental responsibility.

A Compact, Tactile Urban House

The house is designed as a robust, compact volume spanning three levels. It is anchored by a central, double-height hall topped with a skylight, which brings natural light deep into the home’s core. A striking six-meter Alerce wood wall, repurposed from the original dwelling, becomes a visual centerpiece and acoustic absorber, softening the sounds of everyday life.

Public living spaces occupy the ground floor, where wooden sliding walls create adaptable configurations—open for social interaction or closed for privacy. The second floor houses private bedrooms, each with framed views of the mountainous landscape. Metal sliding panels act as a dynamic outer skin, providing solar protection and visual privacyas needed. Meanwhile, the basement level accommodates practical functions, including a wine cellar, storage, and a multipurpose guest room that connects to a sunken patio.

Materials That Embrace Aging and Contrast

Elton_léniz’s architectural strategy places significant emphasis on the natural aging of materials. The upper floor is fully clad in gray-stained wood, designed to weather gracefully over time. In contrast, the lower level features a tactile mix of exposed concrete, angled black walls, and stone terraces, which ground the house in the natural Santiago terrain. The site’s perimeter wall uses white brick, referencing the materiality of neighboring modernist homes and reinforcing the house’s dialogue with its context.

The interplay between raw textures and refined detailing reinforces the project’s core theme: modern architecture that is rooted in place, respectful of history, and forward-looking in function and form.

All the photographs are works of Marcos Mendizábal