Camino A Farellones, Las Condes, Santiago by Max Núñez Arquitectos

From my home in Belfast, Chile feels a million miles away, a far removed nation on the other side of the world.

Yet, Chile is a country towards which I feel a strong emotional pull. It is in part due to its past political upheavals and struggles, its famous figures and revolutionaries, something to which I can relate as an Irishman.

Is is also more pragmatically, based on my liking for Chilean wine – arguably some of the finest in the world – and most notably, Chile’s modern architecture.

I would argue that Chile’s modern residential architecture is in many ways unrivalled, anywhere.

Chilean architects must consider several pertinent factors in their work, not least of which include the landscape and geology of an earthquake prone territory.

From The Andes to The Pacific to the Atacama Desert, Chile’s topography is a challenge for even the most confident of architects.

Additionally, architects need to factor a number of contexts within their work, particularly environmental and cultural.

Taken together, each of these factors provide fertile grounding for modern dwellings that are world-class in their design and execution.

In an interview in Dwell about Santiago, architect Sebastián Irarrázaval advocated: “The Chileans associate modernism with prestige, with being forward-looking… this shows the world that Chile is part of a global trend. It’s a way of saying we are not isolated, because Chile had been isolated for so long… Good buildings that are fresh and original can be born in Chile.”

10 X 10, Las Condes, Santiago by Max Núñez Arquitectos

With a focus on that latter sentiment, I was captivated by images of the ‘10 x 10’ house designed by Chilean architects, Max Núñez and Nicolás del Rio. ’

10 x 10′ was awarded Best New Private House in the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2013. Built in Las Condes, Santiago, it derives its name from the 10 x 10 metre central courtyard around which the house is framed.

I’ve chosen Max Núñez Arquitectos as an illustration because it epitomises a genre of Chilean modern architecture by which I am enthralled.

Perfectly befitting the ethos of Walnut Grey Design, Max Núñez Arquitectos make use of a modern palette of materials, including concrete, steel, glass, stone and wood.

Chalet C7 in the Andes Mountains by Max Núñez Arquitectos

With such examples of modern Chilean residential architecture, I experience an overwhelming sensation of wonderment. Somewhat difficult to articulate, I have a longing to be physically present in the spaces that are depicted, to experience their personality and character, to feel the context in which they have been imagined and discover the environment in which they have been constructed.

But as I have already expressed, Belfast is a long way from Chile, and so I am left to ruminate, imagine and form my own evocative pictures these works.

Have chosen 3 examples of Chilean design companies, each exhibiting at 'High Noon: A Design Portfolio from Chile' at designjunction.

bravo!
The Andes House
Ignacia Murtagh

They are examples of Chilean design that I favour - typically simple, clean and imbued with a modern aesthetic. Chilean design’s neutrality and restraint allows the user to interpret each piece in his or her own way.

An affinity with nature is particularly evident in much Chilean design.

An understated approach to design provides a level of balance that is lacking in much of today’s consume and throwaway society.

Chilean design has strength of personality and integrity that is both solid and grounding. It appears effortless, with a clear expression of form

It is design that strives to affect people at a human level, to impact positively on their very being.

Emotion and tactility, harmony and balance, are vital to design.

Use of honest materials such as wood and marble.

It’s about good design & emotional design.

From Dieter Rams ten principles for good design.

Aesthetic: design affects our person & our well being.

Honest: does not attempt to manipulate with false promises.

Useful: functional & psychological. Design should not be a distraction.

Understandable: clarity; the product is self-explanatory.

Long-lasting: avoids being fashionable; lasts many years & is not throwaway.