Errazuriz House

Le Corbusier – Casa Errazuriz-Maison De M. Errazuriz, Chile, 1930

Maison Errazuriz is a vacation home commissioned by Chilean diplomat Ortuzar Errazuriz. It was supposed to be built in Zapallar, a remote spot facing the Pacific Ocean. It was never built.
In this house, Le Corbusier respects the Principle of the free plan and the facade: the ceilings are supported by pillars and the facade is entirely made of glass to let in as much light as possible.
The remoteness of the site and the uneven terrain posed a challenge for Le Corbusier: he had to insert this house into the landscape.
He then chose simple materials for the interior: stone blocks from the surrounding environment for the walls and trunks of Chilean trees for the pillars. Therefore, this interior is not luxurious but it is respectful of the territory of which it is part.

A feature of this house is its V-shaped roof, also called a butterfly roof. This type of roof is quite practical and used in sunny locations because it lets in more sunlight.
Thanks to this roof, Le Corbusier designed a large living room on the ground floor and a mezzanine accessible by a wooden ramp. The space is open and flooded with light.