A Painter’s Paradise

Artists don’t get to be choosy when it comes to a workspace – in general, we’ll take whatever we can get. But this seaside studio oasis conceived by architects Felipe Assadi, Francisca Pulido, and Alejandra Araya would be any painter’s dream come true; La Casa Bahia Azul, a main living space, combined with a painting studio that boldly juts out among the rocky cliffs form an environment that fuels focus, meditation, and creativity.

Simple in both material and form, the brutalist board-formed concrete structure provides a subtle contrast to the lush Chilean coastline

Simple in both material and form, the brutalist board-formed concrete structure provides a subtle contrast to the lush Chilean coastline much like the jagged stone peaks that find their way from land to sea. Yet somehow the sturdy, solid walls feel incredibly light; one can barely distinguish between interior and exterior as an abundance of natural rays flood each room through generous glass-paneled walls, windows, and skylights. Sparse decoration throughout allows for clarity of thought — and for enormous messes to be made within. A descent beneath the earth down a narrow metal staircase forms a hidden entry to the isolated studio that lives in a world of its own. One can see a spectacular view of the Los Vilos coastline beyond that is nothing short of inspirational, while in La Casa Bahia Azul a series of meticulously crafted apertures frame endless coastal compositions. Modest in both construction and conception, this residence embodies an ideal of natural beauty and a deep connection to place, an artist’s singular isolation from the oversaturated, fabricated world of modern man.