Bariloche House | 2005 | San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina  Bariloche is a picturesque skiing and trekking resort town situated in the foothills of the Patagonian Andes. The Bariloche house was commissioned as a vacation home for a man who divides his time between San Francisco and Argentina. The design required to accommodate a large number of guests yet provide a sense of intimacy for visitors.

The house takes shape from a fluid and flexible central living space which leads to two satellite sleeping quarters. A glass enclosed bridge connects the three buildings and keeps residents in tune with the constantly changing weather and light of Patagonia. Shed roofs slope up to mountain summits in three directions. Cerro Otto and the ski runs of Cerro Catedral are framed by glass with operable wood louvers to mitigate solar gain.

Patagonia is a harsh landscape of granite covered in rain forest. The material palette reflects this ruggedness with an exposed steel frame softened by wood wrapping interior beams and posts. Wood, translucent glass, and transparent glass panels are set into the frame according to the needs of light, privacy, and views. All materials are local to the Patagonia region.