ArchDaily has published our design for the Paso Cardenal Samoré Border Station competition, a project situated on the strategic passage across the Andes between Chile and Argentina, intended to serve as a checkpoint and welcoming station for travelers. Ennead, together with collaborators Grupo 4, Studio Met+, Stradale, LERA, and GGN, developed a design solution focused on sustainable building performance and integration into the rich landscape of southern Chile.
The abundance of local resources provided an opportunity to minimize the reliance on imported materials and tie the building to the regional vernacular. The design takes advantage of the flat, low-lying topography of the site by providing a visual connection to the surrounding volcanoes and the adjacent river, creating a sequence of discovery for all visitors. A mass-timber structure, the proposed building features solar exposure calibration, natural light and ventilation, and the potential for small-scale on-site renewable energy generation, all while maintaining a light footprint in an environmentally sensitive region.
Read the story and see more project images here.