The MA Awards, conceived by Mujer ArquitectA, aim to highlight and promote the creations of contemporary women architects in Chile, valuing their contribution to the architectural field. This recognition celebrates the excellence and outstanding contributions of women architects in the field of creation and design. These awards seek to highlight the innovation, unique vision, and exceptional skill of women architects, offering a meaningful space to honor and bring visibility to their valuable impact on the world of architecture.
On Tuesday, December 5, at the AOA (Association of Architectural Offices) auditorium, the following winners were announced.
Established Category
Architects: Cecilia Puga, Paula Velasco, and Alberto Moletto
Palacio Pereira marks a milestone in the management and preservation of national heritage, restoring the existing building and incorporating a new structure that harmoniously coexists with its surroundings.
The building's architecture presents a contemporary, innovative, and cohesive approach while maintaining deep respect for the historic structure. Sustainable elements are organically integrated with the palace's neoclassical style, highlighting the importance of the original building.
Honorable Mentions
Architect: Cazú Zegers
The hotel is located at the northern entrance of Torres del Paine National Park, on the shores of Lake Sarmiento, which marks the boundary of the national park. The project aims to establish a harmonious dialogue between the vastness of the landscape and the built structure, while its focus on ecotourism seeks to provide an immersive nature experience.
Given the long adaptation process of modern humans, the building acts as a sensitive second skin, allowing visitors to experience the strength and mystical beauty of this protected area. The building's form is inspired by the wind-swept silhouettes characteristic of the region, designed to integrate respectfully into the metaphysical landscape rather than disrupt it.
Architects: Carolina del Campo and Nicole Labbé G.
This project interprets a family's lifestyle during their leisure time, connecting with the experience of Chiloé's vernacular architecture. The building blends into the surrounding forest, communicating through an abstract morphology reminiscent of a traditional Chilote barn.
The significance of this project lies in respecting its history while preserving the existing topography, altering the terrain as little as possible.
Architect: Nicole Spencer
PANAL is developed through a master plan that configures a sponge-like micro-neighborhood composed of seven mixed-use units. This approach aims to improve the residents' quality of life by reducing commute times between home, work, and recreation. The project accommodates a variety of programs, including housing, workshops, exhibition rooms, and offices.
During construction, free workshops were held to teach children about the importance of conscious building. The use of natural materials, green roofs, deciduous shading structures, and native vegetation allows the condominium to harmoniously integrate with its surroundings, returning to the land what was extracted during construction. This approach benefits the environment while contributing to the project's overall sustainability.
Emerging Category
Architects: Carolina Catrón and Ricardo Azócar
Located in the residual area of the "Los Lobos" soccer field, which is surrounded by formal housing and a small cluster of informal settlements, the project's strategic location allows its public character to transform it into a landmark gathering space for the community.
The design consists of a series of circular benches that form a continuous layout embedded in the natural terrain, creating a space that encourages community activities.
Honorable Mentions
Architect: Micaela Torres Fuentealba
The project explores how a productive landscape—the historic salt flats of Paredones—can be transformed into a social space. This is achieved through infrastructure that establishes a boundary within the landscape while encouraging activities that engage with the site's cultural and historical value.
Architects: Tania Gebauer and Eugenio Ortuzar
Located on the main island of Chiloé, this hotel is inspired by rural settlements and Patagonian ranches (estancias). The design creates a refuge to appreciate the extreme and variable climate of the Chilote landscape. The project's layout references traditional rural settlements in Chiloé, which typically consist of a central family residence surrounded by various detached volumes or structures.
Architect: Hangysan Sanhueza González
The project was developed with the landscape and community context in mind, aiming to benefit local residents and travelers by reclaiming underutilized spaces and transforming them into areas suitable for human interaction. This is achieved by seamlessly integrating the structure into the rural landscape.
Situated right on the boundary between private property and the public road, the structure marks the corner and highlights the side entrance to the hamlet. Consequently, the once-overlooked hamlet gains broader regional relevance through a landmark that highlights the community and its history, shaped by population minorities who still maintain a unique living tradition.
This article was written by Magdalena Casamitjana. The translation is powered by AI.
