We see architecture as a dialogue between vision and place, a discipline that shapes how we live and connect with the world. Few studios embody this philosophy as deeply as Elemental, the Chilean practice led by Pritzker Prize laureate Alejandro Aravena.
Their work is recognized for its incremental design approach, which allows communities to complete and personalize their own spaces over time, a philosophy centered on the dignity and adaptability of housing. Each building explores how architecture can serve, inspire, and endure.
In this article, we highlight three projects that embody the spirit of Elemental’s work, including the Nova Sede da EDP in Lisbon, where OTIIMA proudly contributed with its high-performance glazing systems.
EDP New Headquarters | Lisbon, Portugal
In Lisbon, EDP’s new headquarters demonstrates civic generosity through architectural gestures, with two linear volumes gracefully connecting the hillside to the Tagus River. A folded terrain creates public plazas and a riverside viewpoint, while brise-soleil and recessed glazing reduce solar gain and improve thermal performance. Inside, stair-driven circulation encourages active engagement, and social hubs like cafes and rooftop amenities elevate the workplace into a community. OTIIMA’s contribution includes high-performance facades using our VEC systems with fiberglass profiles-durable, elegant, and energy-efficient, complementing Elemental’s vision of structural poise.
© Francisco Nogueira
Quinta Monroy Housing | Iquique, Chile
This project in Iquique revolutionized social housing. ELEMENTAL built only part of each house, including the structure, plumbing, and stairs, allowing residents to customize and expand their houses over time. With modest budgets, families transformed basic structures into lively, larger homes, promoting ownership, identity, and community. The studio’s step-by-step approach remains widely recognized and replicated.
© Cristobal Palma
Prefabricated Housing in Viña del Mar | Viña del Mar, Chile
Responding to a devastating 2024 wildfire, ELEMENTAL partnered with local authorities to deliver modular and prefabricated housing. Designed for speed and resilience, four 63 m² apartments were assembled onsite within hours, using steel-framed modules built offsite and finished within days. This pilot demonstrates how prefabrication can provide dignified, permanent homes in emergencies.
© Yoshihiro Koitani
Elemental’s work encompasses social equity, civic engagement, and architectural creativity. By empowering residents, reimagining public institutions, and reconstructing with urgency, their projects set new standards for design and responsibility.
