The rural community of Totihue (Sixth Region, Chile) was using an old silo as a Chapel since 1972. After the earthquake in Chile on February 27th 2010, the silo resulted unusable, so it had to be closed because of danger of collapse.

© Nico Saieh

Architects: Gonzalo Mardones Viviani

Location: Totihue, Requinoa, VI Región, Chile

Architect: Gonzalo Mardones

Area: 283.0 sqm

Project Year: 2016

Photographs: Nico Saieh

Structural Engineer: Ruiz & Saavedra

Constructor: Ricardo Fuentes Córdoba

Client: Fundación AIS Chile, Community of Totihue Architect: Gonzalo Mardones

Land Surface: 2102 mts2

Built Surface: 283 mts2
From the architect. The rural community of Totihue (Sixth Region, Chile) was using an old silo as a Chapel since 1972. After the earthquake in Chile on February 27th 2010, the silo resulted unusable, so it had to be closed because of danger of collapse.The silo construction is a recurring image in the Chilean countryside, so this particular silo has an important symbolic meaning for the community of Totihue. Therefore, this project, made in collaboration with the Fundación AIS Chile and the community of Totihue, rescued and supplemented the old structure with a new gabled volume, in the manner of a barn. The new volumen welcomes the new chapel, and the renewed silo operates as a funeral parlour, community ...