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VIEWPOINTS AND REST AREAS OF THE AYSÉN REGION

Public Competition, First Place

2018

 

Architects: Santiago Valdivieso - Nicolás Stutzin - Sebastián Delpino

Location: Aysen, Chile.

Collaborating Architect: Kevin Scott

Structural Engineering: Mauricio Ahumada

Landscape Design: Javiera Jadue, Paula Livingstone

Total Area: Approx. 50,000 m²

The Carretera Austral, originally built 120 years ago as an extractive transport route, has evolved into a key infrastructure network spanning over 1,000 km. Beyond its economic significance, it has gained international recognition as a unique scenic route, linking multiple national parks and ecosystems.

 

This project, commissioned by the Ministry of Public Works and the National Tourism Service of Aysén, aims to enhance the visitor experience by creating a network of nine strategically located viewpoints and rest areas. These interventions not only provide safe vantage points for appreciating the region’s landscapes but also act as a cohesive system that strengthens Aysén’s tourism infrastructure.

 

A modular design approach was developed to ensure consistency across all sites while adapting to each location’s specific topography and environmental conditions. Prefabricated elements facilitate efficient assembly, reducing ecological impact and ensuring durability in remote, harsh climates. The design integrates elevated walkways, sheltered viewpoints, and parking areas, minimizing soil erosion and enhancing accessibility.

 

Beyond offering panoramic views, each viewpoint contributes to landscape restoration, reintroducing native vegetation and controlling human impact. Durable materials, such as galvanized steel for structures and locally sourced stone for gabion walls, ensure resilience while reducing maintenance costs. Informational signage fosters environmental awareness, linking visitors to the broader ecological and cultural narratives of the region.

 

This project transforms the Carretera Austral into more than just a road—it becomes a structured experience that merges infrastructure with landscape, reinforcing sustainable tourism and ecological stewardship in one of Chile’s most remarkable natural environments.

The Carretera Austral, originally built 120 years ago as an extractive transport route, has evolved into a key infrastructure network spanning over 1,000 km. Beyond its economic significance, it has gained international recognition as a unique scenic route, linking multiple national parks and ecosystems.

 

This project, commissioned by the Ministry of Public Works and the National Tourism Service of Aysén, aims to enhance the visitor experience by creating a network of nine strategically located viewpoints and rest areas. These interventions not only provide safe vantage points for appreciating the region’s landscapes but also act as a cohesive system that strengthens Aysén’s tourism infrastructure.

 

A modular design approach was developed to ensure consistency across all sites while adapting to each location’s specific topography and environmental conditions. Prefabricated elements facilitate efficient assembly, reducing ecological impact and ensuring durability in remote, harsh climates. The design integrates elevated walkways, sheltered viewpoints, and parking areas, minimizing soil erosion and enhancing accessibility.

 

Beyond offering panoramic views, each viewpoint contributes to landscape restoration, reintroducing native vegetation and controlling human impact. Durable materials, such as galvanized steel for structures and locally sourced stone for gabion walls, ensure resilience while reducing maintenance costs. Informational signage fosters environmental awareness, linking visitors to the broader ecological and cultural narratives of the region.

 

This project transforms the Carretera Austral into more than just a road—it becomes a structured experience that merges infrastructure with landscape, reinforcing sustainable tourism and ecological stewardship in one of Chile’s most remarkable natural environments.

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