Abstract
This thesis subject matter deals with the Chilean Firm Bresciani, Valdés, Castillo, Huidobro single -member house Project.
Within the spectrum of its work, such issue – which gave birth to its orders and whose design had a practically complete uniformity all the time – can be seen as a clear and representative subject matter and a crucial issue of its architecture “laboratory”, grounded from a pioneering understanding, based on the principles of the modern movement.
The first proposed hypothesis points out that such designs were developed taking into account the evolution and continuity equation upon which the basis of the construction of its own line of action would be set. Nonetheless, such equation wouldn’t have been completely succesful if the firm had not had the right choice and use of such modern architectonic resources which allow it a local interpretation. Thus, a second hypothesis appears, which points out that a modern single – member house, developed taking into account the evolution and continuity equation was concomitantly endowed with the mechanisms and flexibility necessary to fit the local constraints and peculiarities.
Initially, in the first introduction chapter, some questions were expressed and the objectives enunciated; at the same time, the basis of the investigation methodology used was set and the hypothesis was posed.
In the second chapter, a general view of the architecture of the modern Chilean as well as Latin – American simgle – member house of the study period, betwen 1930 and 1965 was exposed, this incluided its status report and peculiarities as well as the protagonists and their works. This chapter places the scenario in which the work of the studied firm is developed.
Then, in the third chapter, a general view of the studied firm was presented. The members were introduced in the first place, then, the nature of the relationship observed between them was established; subsequently, the sources of the referents of their work were pointed out, their architectonic chores were showed, its record of achievement and work underlined, and finally, the role that the housing theme had within it was determined.
Then, the fourth chapter focused on the single – member house theme designed by the firm, establishing the importance that such issue had within its work and showing its relative importance. Similarly, a chronological review of the examples of the firm’s single – member house was carried out and the phases in which such production can be classified were established.
In the fifth chapter, the analysis to six representative single – member houses of the studied period was made. The issue intended to recognize the criteria and the values that derived from the works themselves so as to verify the hypothesis proposed.
The investigation concluded in the chapter six. Here, the possibility of a further checking of this and other major facets of the studied office’s work were proposed. Finally, the adjunct texts were exposed and the sources of investigation were mentioned.
This work must be seen as a contribution to the major effort of going deeply into the knowledge of the history of Latin – American Modern Architecture, which was undertaken through the study of the particular experience of a Chilean firm which designed in Chile around the middle of the past century, helping in a way to clarify and spread some of the ways in which this movement crystallized in this corner of the planet.
