AKA Patagonia

August 14, 2020

Pablo Larroulet, the founder of LARROU ARQ, projected AKA Patagonia - a
cabins & lodge hotel in Puerto Natales, in southern Chile.



The Place: Encounter and contrast
Patagonia is one of the most important tourist destinations in Chile and the world, a geography that strikes you with its scale, untamed wilderness and the bond that’s generated between the visitor and the landscape.

The meeting of the elements hits you at first sight, the connection between water and glacier, rock and mountain, tree and earth; a contrast of materials, forms and colors, between the solid and the liquid, between the mountain gorge and the valley plain.
 The roots of this project lie in this concept: encounter and contrast, an architecture that emerges from the earth and becomes part of nature, rupturing forms that rise up like mountains, volcanoes and glaciers on the horizon of Puerto Natales.
Aka Patagonia is a tribute to the landscape.




Design

The project consists of six modules (private double rooms with a bathroom) and one communal module for relaxing, meeting and cooking.




The 6 prefabricated wooden modules were built in a shipyard and then assembled on site, strategically positioned to frame the views of the various natural attractions and to obtain the maximum level of natural light during the day. The entire construction was built on piles to have the lowest impact on the site. 
The space was designed so that guests can experience the continuous flow of nature, both inside and out.



Sensations and Materials
The lenga tree is a species native to the region. It envelops the project, even the roof, protecting the structure from extreme weather conditions. The lenga has evolved to grow in places with poor soil, cold climates and strong winds, where no other species can usually adapt.




The aging of the material is a key aspect of the project: achieving a fusion between the built environment and the landscape. Over time, architecture seeks to adapt to its environment, without competition or pretension, by becoming a part of it.



Photography by Fernanda Del Villar

Address: Puerto Natales, Magallanes, Cile Puerto Natales, Chile
www.akapatagonia.com
www.larrou.com

SHARE THIS

 Contribute

G&G _ Magazine is always looking for the creative talents of stylists, designers, photographers and writers from around the globe.

WRITE US

 Find us on

Latest News

By G&G _ Magazine • October 16, 2026
Warsaw Home & Contract celebrates its 10th anniversary at Ptak Warsaw Expo, Poland, on 21–24 October 2026, bringing together six exhibitions dedicated to the world of interiors.
By Zhanna Lysohorova • October 10, 2026
From 9 to 12 September 2026 at Istanbul's Tüyap Fair & Congress Center, ZUCHEX placed Turkish craftsmanship and manufacturing at the heart of a market where a rich local offer increasingly meets international demand.
By G&G _ Magazine • September 28, 2026
With nearly four decades of experience in the Middle East, Godwin Austen Johnson approaches architecture through a deep understanding of context, climate, culture and the commercial realities that shape the built environment. This perspective is expressed in Serenia Living, the practice’s completed luxury residential development on Palm Jumeirah and winner of the 2026 Luxury Lifestyle Awards for Best Luxury Apartment Architecture in Dubai, UAE .
By G&G _ Magazine • September 22, 2026
Ten years after its launch in Milan, Contract District Group enters a new phase of growth, combining interior design expertise, proprietary technology and artificial intelligence to reshape furniture distribution across contract and retail markets.
By G&G _ Magazine • September 19, 2026
Studio WYZE, the interior design firm with studios in London and Zurich, projected TATTU Dubai of Permanently Unique Group, located within the world’s tallest hotel Ciel Dubai Marina .
By G&G _ Magazine • September 6, 2026
From 12 to 20 September 2026, the eighth edition of Lake Como Design Festival unfolds across Como, Lake Como and, for the first time, Lecco, bringing exhibitions, installations and new collaborations under the theme “ Border ”.
MORE

 Subscribe

Keep up to date with the latest trends!

Receive a dose of inspiration directly into your mailbox!

 Popular Posts

By G&G _ Magazine • October 12, 2026
Maison Margiela announces Maison Margiela Residences , its first residential real estate project, developed in partnership with Alta Real Estate Development and designed by Italian architect Carlo Colombo in collaboration with the Maison Margiela architecture team.
By G&G _ Magazine • September 19, 2026
Studio WYZE, the interior design firm with studios in London and Zurich, projected TATTU Dubai of Permanently Unique Group, located within the world’s tallest hotel Ciel Dubai Marina .
By G&G _ Magazine • September 11, 2026
SISHICRAFT Studio transforms vegetable-tanned leather into delicate handcrafted objects inspired by the botanical world. G&G _ Magazine explores the creative vision behind the brand with Natalie, from transforming botanical inspiration into handcrafted objects to experimenting with material, form and the subtle imperfections that make every piece unique.