Fray Len Building //

Jorge Figueroa + Asociados

Architects: Jorge Figueroa + Asociados Location: Fray Luis de Len, Las Condes, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile Photography: Pablo Blanco Structures: Jos Jimenez Topographer: ngel Espinoza Owner: Inmobiliaria Fernndez Wood

From the architect. Fray Len building is a small set of 9 apartments located in the area of San Damin, in the district of Las Condes, in Santiago de Chile. The architectural proposal consists of breaking a body into small fragments that generate unique and identifiable volumes, without repetition and almost without modulation. We work in a way to generate identity and a sense belonging. Each apartment has its own particularity and characteristics. The highlight of the proposal is the public space and access that is generated through a large paved plaza, which brings together both vertical cores. This plaza consists of loose wall planes, separated from the main structure of the building and from the habitable area, creating a double skin, which protects and gives intimacy to the interior of the apartments. These walls create a sculptural space, a significant plaza, an area of contemplation quite unusual for this kind of commission. Light wells pierce the building along its entire height, down to the parking area underground, bringing vegetation, light and air to a space that is traditionally dark and inhospitable. The same happens in the public circulation areas between stairs and elevators and apartments, which border interior courtyard areas and vertical gardens. The apartments on the first floor open directly to large private gardens, and the apartments of the third floor can access a large roof terrace through a staircase and a double height space. On the facade, we combine exposed concrete elements and white stucco, highlighting lattices that filter light into the interior.