Throughout its history, CHC has participated in and supported social projects that improve the quality of life of their residents, while constantly seeking to establish new and better standards that contribute to the construction of spaces. In this particular case, the project led by architect Jaime Ovando integrates public funds through Chile's Habitabilidad Program and the Illustrious Municipality of Paine, along with private contributions from building material companies, the architecture firm, and the construction company, including CHC.

Thinking about the present and future of older adults is essential to improving the population's quality of life. According to the United Nations study on world population prospects, by 2050, it is estimated that 32% of Chile's population will be over 65 years old. According to data from the 2017 National Socioeconomic Characterization Survey (CASEN), 22.1% of older adults in the country live in multidimensional poverty. The connection between architecture and social commitment develops a strategy to combat vulnerability in this demographic.

+ 28

For the past couple of years, the project curators at ArchDaily have been revisiting architectural works they believe deserve a deeper look. Through an Instagram post called "Project Review", the curators describe what they consider to be the work's main attribute(s). Delving into the project's stories and the elements that make them truly inspiring, they underline what might otherwise be overlooked initiatives and study them closely, with attention to locality and context. The result is an array of diverse works, often from rural or suburban areas that have a public function or historic significance.

While a couple of houses are listed, the majority of the reviews veer towards cultural centers, libraries, workspaces, or commercial settings. Another thing to note is the fact that many of these works ended up coming in from Asia, with a few key projects from rural China. The picks are quite diverse in materiality and design language; however, they all suggest innovative architectural solutions and captivating narratives.

+ 12

The term vault in architecture refers to a self-supporting arched structure that forms a ceiling or roof, which can effectively create a wide, column-free space. While traditional masonry vaults transfer loads to walls and buttresses, contemporary versions are more broadly defined as any ceiling that follows the roofline, creating a high, curved interior. These modern ceilings are typically framed using materials like concrete, timber, or steel, which provide the structural flexibility to create the dramatic effect of a vault without its historical constraints. The round arch vault, in particular, seems to have been a recently favored form for its simple, elegant geometry and its ability to adapt to a variety of modern residential styles.

+ 7

+ 12

+ 18