The versatile Chilean group Supersudaka designed this unusual house located in Talca, Chile.
The process was so unsteady, that all possible architectural design resources available where exercised to cope with the challenge of this house in the Chilean Central Valley.
Everything was in constant change: the program, the surface, building permits, the contractors, even the view !
Made with a metallic structure covered entirely with wood and glass, the house has been in constant change resulting a mix, a bastardized design with a patio and roof terrace.
Already drawing the crowds in the South American resort of San Alfonso del Mar in Chile, this artificial lagoon and swimming pool has been acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records as the the biggest and longest swimming pool in the world.
The pool is 1013 metres (3,324 feet) long and covers an area of 8 hectares (19.77 acres), had a 115ft deep end and holds 66 million gallons (250,000 cubic meters ) of water. It is even navigable in small boats !
The idea to create this resort came as far back as 1997, when Chilean real estate developer and biochemist Fernando Fischmann, wanted to create a revolutionary resort. The motivating factor to create such an immense pool was the Pacific Ocean itself. The waters of the Pacific Ocean coast of Chile is cold, unclean and dangerous, so Mr Fischmann wanted to create a place for people to swim and enjoy water sports in a comfortable and safe environment. Rather than creating just another small swimming pool, he wanted something totally extraordinary.
The water is pumped in from the Pacific Ocean and treated before being pumped into the pool. The water temperature is kept at 26°C. It is 9°C warmer than the adjoining sea, allowing it to be used on cold days
It took five years to build, cost nearly £1billion and the annual maintenance bill will be £2million.
Luxist inform us that rare South American stamps, in fact the world’s most valuable private collection of South American postage stamps, will be offered in a public auction in New York City on June 5 and 6, 2008.
The auction includes for instance the only surviving example of the 1859 one-peso “tête-bêche,” which has a pre-sale estimate of $400,000 to $500,000. There is also an envelope from Chile with a unique block of 14 lithographed 5-centavo stamps of 1854 which is $400,000 to $500,000. From Colombia there is a letter with a 5-centavo and a10-centavo stamp dated September 1, 1859, the first day these very first stamps of Colombia were issued The pre-sale estimate is $200,000 to $300,000. You’ll find out more information on luxist and on siegelauctions