Carlos Jarpa’s Vigilante Maule Is a Timber Frame Tower Looking Out Over Chile’s Vineyards

Posted By Diane Pham On May 25, 2012 @ 10:55 am In Architecture,carousel showcase,gallery | No Comments

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Wine ^[6] tourism has been on the rise, and as weary travelers look for a glass of red to unwind with, they're bypassing local bars and heading right to the source. The beautiful Maule Vineyard Homes ^[7] in Chile recently added a spectacular new way to enjoy the stretches of grape vines that make up the Rivera del río Maule. Designed by Carlos Jarpa ^[8] for his thesis project at the Escuela de Arquitectura Universidad de Talca ^[9], this water-tower-inspired timber construction winds up to the sky, offering inimitable views of the scenic Chilean countryside.

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Jarpa ^[8]wanted to create a tower whose structure would be self-supporting and would not require external additions for support. He turned to a jointed grid-shell system, which would not only provide for a strong and sturdy construction, but a flexibility that would allow the tower ^[10]to be manipulated into complex shapes with dynamic planes. This structural system joined with a hyperboloid shape perfectly manages to transfer the heavy loads evenly throughout the volume. The airy, open grid construction also provides a visual lightness to the structure that melds well with the surrounding landscape.

The tower ^[11] was built with treated 2×2″ pine slats joined together by a system of modular metal plates. The base of the tower is set on a rectangular platform that not only provides extra stability, but an additional place for visitors to play and repose. The entire structure took just 3 days to assemble on-site.

Inspired by the watchtowers that were formerly used on farms to monitor crops, Japra saw his tower ^[12]as an opportunity to invite visitors to enjoy all the glory of vineyards without requiring them to tour the entire place.

+ Carlos Jarpa ^[8]

Via Platforma Arquitectura ^[13]

Article printed from Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building: http://inhabitat.com

URL to article: http://inhabitat.com/carlos-jarpas-vigilante-maule-is-a-timber-frame-tower-looking-out-to-chiles-vineyards/

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[5]  : http://inhabitat.com/carlos-jarpas-vigilante-maule-is-a-timber-frame-tower-looking-out-to-chiles-vineyards/carlos-jarpa-vigilante-maule-8/?extend=1

[6] Wine: http://inhabitat.com/this-awesome-drum-set-is-made-from-repurposed-wine-barrels/

[7] Maule Vineyard Homes: http://www.winesofchile.org/the-wines/wine-regions/maule-valley/

[8] Carlos Jarpa: http://vigilantedelmaule.tumblr.com/

[9] Escuela de Arquitectura Universidad de Talca: http://www.talca.org/

[10] tower : http://inhabitat.com/south-korea-builds-worlds-tallest-lego-tower/

[11] tower: http://inhabitat.com/nyc/bellboy-new-york-upcycles-a-park-avenue-water-tower-into-a-sexy-wooden-chair-for-12-x-12/

[12] tower : http://inhabitat.com/water-tower-transformed-into-minimalist-modern-home/

[13] Platforma Arquitectura: http://www.plataformaarquitectura.cl/2012/05/24/vigilante-del-maule-carlos-jarpa/

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