_i exist by implication_

The Iquique social interest housing project* by ELEMENTAL** and Alejandro Aravena.***

* ] ELEMENTAL Iquique social interest housing [ Looks to deal with extremely low cost housing that can be a real means to overcoming poverty. The project intends to design neighborhoods of good quality, expandable housing units, which in turn can be well located in cities, and able to develop harmoniously over time. These structurally safe units would be built for $7,500 per family.

There were three goals: the best possible architectural design (having intelligence and precision in form), the best possible engineering and construction (using development and lab tests for new prefabricated components and seismic systems), and the best possible social and community work (offering pre- and post-construction guidance to residents).

** ] ELEMENTAL [ Based at the Universidad Católica de Chile's school of architecture, supported by a Chilean government grant and by the Harvard Design School, is an initiative to build seven exemplary projects of around 200 units each throughout Chile, bringing together the best practices in construction, engineering, social work and architecture, while at the same time aiming to offer a concrete contribution to housing for the poor.

*** ] Alejandro Aravena [ Architect Universidad Católica de Chile 1992, independent professional practice since 1994. Studied history and theory in Istituto Universitario di Architettura di Venezia (1992-93). Visiting Professor at Harvard University between 2000 and 2005. Professor at the Universidad Católica since 1994. Since 2006 he is the Elemental Copec Professor at UC and Executive Director of ELEMENTAL.

original conditions of Iquique

project as delivered by architects

2 years later

project as delivered by architects

2 years later

Higuera + Sánchez Arquitects restored this beat up location

and created this interesting living space. The building, treated as a template, allowed the residents to customize their spaces.

*** ] IF YOU ARE USING SAFARI, THUMBNAILS ARE STRETCHED. CLICK ON IMAGES FOR REAL DIMENSIONS [ ***

Classroom KAMP G40 is our studio space here on campus. We are each still working on making it our home, but so far so good…

KAMP G40 entrance

Overall of studio space

My studio area

after coping with the idea of having to maintain and run a blog, I realized that there was no way I could live with the previous aesthetic. ergo I decided to redesign it, which of course led me to commit the mistake of erasing everything I had before. I will slowly reconstruct it. adieu for now…