ECHO HOUSE  sits on an elevated hillside with a panoramic view toward a nearly excessive western horizon, fully open to the Pacific Ocean. 2 km from Casa Engawa, it shares the same climate but is positioned higher and more exposed. The terrain has a uniform southward slope, an unfavorable orientation in the southern hemisphere.

​

The project counterbalances this openness through protected, domestic patios, creating intimate spaces in contrast to the vast sea. Three concrete walls reshape and reorient the topography. The first two form an inclined garden-patio, making the terrain physically present. Its slope demands effort and speed, reinforcing connection with the landscape. Its inclination amplifies the garden’s perception from the interior, as if viewed from above. The third retaining wall, parallel to the ocean, acts as a structural pivot for the metal framework. Beneath it, a garden sheltered from sun and wind balances light and shade.

​

A lightweight metal structure rests on the third wall, supporting a continuous vaulted roof parallel to the ocean, defining the interior and distributing zenithal light. At its center, an inclined garden with glass facing east enhances the perception of the nearby landscape, while to the west, the view fully opens to the infinite Pacific horizon.

​

Here, where the house is fully exposed to intense afternoon sun, a layered system moderates light and temperature. A galvanized grating eave reflects, filters, and softens sunlight. An interior linen curtain tempers the landscape. An exterior UV-protected acrylic curtain, inclined and automated, regulates solar exposure, reducing glare and improving aerodynamics.

​

This performative western facade lets the house moderate its relationship with landscape and light year-round, not imposing upon the site but interacting with it instead.