Casa Ensenada: Paralelo Transversal Designs Cantilevered Chilean House Over Ravine in Puerto Varas

Chilean architecture studio Paralelo Transversal has completed Casa Ensenada, a 155-square-metre house in Puerto Varas, Chile, that cantilevers over a ravine. Set on a 1.2-acre site near Lago Llanquihue, the rectangular home is organised around a large hip roof designed to handle the region's heavy rainfall. The roof extends to form a terrace that projects over the ravine, creating a dramatic outdoor space while protecting the interior. Completed in 2025, the project responds to the local climate and topography, with the cantilever allowing the house to engage with the landscape without extensive earthworks. The design prioritises the roof as the defining element, a common strategy in southern Chile's rainy environment. Casa Ensenada demonstrates how contemporary architecture can blend structural innovation with regional building traditions, offering a model for sustainable residential design in challenging terrains.