WMR Arquitectos Dreams Up Fun-Filled Beach House in Chile

No waves? No worries. At least not for filmmaker and champion surfer Cristian Merello. He can stay in shape and get his daily rush without ever leaving home. Literally: Designed by Santiago-based WMR Arquitectos, the beach house, on Chile’s central coast, features an alfresco skateboard ramp that crests 7½ feet.

The 1,300-square-foot oceanfront dwelling is built of local pine and elevated on a series of V-shape supports—for protection against tsunamis. The only other material is glass. In fact, the entire south and west faces are composed of double-glazed transparent panels, affording Merello and his wife, Ixa, crystal-clear views of the Pacific Ocean and Pichilemu beach. As is their wont, firm partners Felipe Wedeles, Jorge Manieu, and Macarena Rabat made use of inexpensive materials and affordable labor. They didn’t even charge for design services, so great is their admiration for Merello. Who says there’s no such thing as a free ride?

> See more from the Fall 2016 issue of Interior Design Homes