Architects: dRN Arquitectos; dRN Architects
Area: 110 m²
Year: 2006
Photographs: Max Nuñez
Structural Calculation: Enzo Valladares
Client: Ski Portillo
Architects in charge: Nicolas del Rio / Max Nunez
Collaborating Architect: Cristóbal Tirado
City: Los Andes
Country: Chile
Skibox Portillo by dRN Arquitectos rethinks the way Hotel Portillo interacts with its surrounding buildings. These small, scattered structures on the mountain serve as protection for ski lift stations and provide basic services for patrols and skiers. Designed to withstand extreme conditions, such as up to 6 meters of snow, 200 km/h winds, and year-round exposure, the architectural strategy uses modular construction elements tailored to different terrain and programmatic needs.
An architectural solution was commissioned to reconsider how Hotel Portillo integrates with its external structures. Small satellite buildings scattered across the mountain serve as protection for ski lift stations and provide basic services for patrols and skiers. These minimal structures endure harsh winter conditions, including up to 6 meters of ice and snow and winds reaching 200 km/hour. During the rest of the year, they remain exposed to the open air of the mountain.
Given the extreme conditions at nearly 3000 meters above sea level and the need for the system to adapt to various requirements, a strategy was developed using a defined set of construction elements arranged differently based on terrain and program needs. The material approach involved two layers: a stone plinth and an upper iron and glass box. The relationship between these structures is characterized by expanded joints and uneven plumb lines, which separate the elements and fracture the perception of the total volume. The parts are horizontally stratified, mirroring the proportions of the Hotel.
Visually, the design aims to resemble a technical container rather than conforming to the romantic notion of a mountain refuge.
The first implementation of these ideas was the construction of the SkiBox, a 110-meter programmatic hybrid. This structure spans two floors and includes bathrooms for skiers, a cafeteria, a timing room for races, and a storage room for patrol equipment.
The bathrooms are situated on the lower floor, a plinth that allows the structure to settle on the irregular topography without requiring major earthworks. This design separates the upper volume from fluctuating snow levels by a few meters. Locally sourced stone covers the plinth, worked without much precision, allowing the first floor to blend into the landscape when there is no snow. The 30-meter-long plinth encases the bathroom area and leverages the natural slope to form a terrace on the second floor for the cafeteria. The wall’s elongated proportion integrates it with the slope, balancing its relationship with the upper structure.
On the plinth, the timing room, a small wine cellar, and the cafeteria are arranged within a single interior space. The box is constructed from a framework of double T profiles and tubular diagonals. The flat roof is designed to retain snow, preventing it from shifting and falling off the sides. Internally, the opaque panels are covered with plywood, while externally, they are clad in an asphalt membrane protected by 4mm thick sheets of oxidized iron. The rust color of the iron resembles the surrounding rocks, creating a chromatic affinity despite the contrast between the volume’s defined geometry and its natural environment. Furthermore, the 1cm gaps between the steel sheets emphasize the layered construction, akin to a mountaineer’s clothing.
The inert materials, rock and steel, are chosen for their durability in extreme mountain conditions, with their natural aging adding character to the building over time.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: Portillo, Los Andes, Valparaiso Region, Chile
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
