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Completed in 2019, Casa Prisma is a secluded 184-square-meter retreat nestled in Conguillío National Park, Chile, designed by architect Smiljan Radić. The project is a conscious "exercise in repetition and replication," where Radić pays homage to two previous designs: Japanese architect Kazuo Shinohara's 1974 Prism House and his own 1997 Room built on the island of Chiloé. The off-grid, prefab cabin is composed of two distinct black volumes placed on a massive elevated timber deck, which offers views of the forest and a nearby solidified river of lava from a past volcanic eruption. Getting to the remote location required the building materials to be brought in via plane flights and car rides through rustic towns. The two structures of Casa Prisma each mirror one of the referenced designs. The first volume, known as the Room, features a gabled roof and was inspired by Radić's earlier work. The second, the Prism House, has a mono-pitched roof and replicates the isosceles triangle geometry of Shinohara's original design, including the interior's distinctive diagonal post. The exterior of both volumes is clad in black metal panels, with extensive glazing that allows light to pour into the spaces and frame panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. The interior contains open-plan living and dining areas, with dorm-style bedrooms located in the upper A-frame section of one structure. Inside, red accent colors can be found on textiles and kitchenware, reminiscent of Radić's Room project. The home is designed for off-grid living, with solar panels and a battery bank providing power, and a wood-burning stove for heat. Credits Architects: Smiljan Radić Photography: Cristóbal Palma
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Smiljan Radić
About
Smiljan Radić:
Smiljan Radić is an internationally recognized Chilean architect of Croatian descent known for his evocative and sculptural designs that blur the lines between architecture and art. Based in Santiago, he works in close collaboration with his wife, sculptor Marcela Correa, to create unique projects that explore the sensory and social conditions of materials. Radić often focuses on smaller-scale projects like experimental structures, installations, and residential buildings, but he has also undertaken larger commissions, including the 2014 Serpentine Pavilion in London, the VIK Winery in Chile, and the renovation of the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. His work often challenges traditional architectural norms, using a "pretty ugliness" approach to produce bold and unexpected forms. Radić does not maintain a website, adding to his reputation as a "hermetic" artist.
