foster + partners: the aleph, buenos aires
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'the aleph residences' by foster + partners, puerto madero, buenos aires, argentina
image © nigel young / foster and partners
named after a famous collection of short stories by argentian author jorge luis borges, 'the aleph residences' are UK-based foster + partners first
completed project in latin america. the aleph, a term defined by borges as the space that contains all other spaces, is an apartment complex representing
the first phase of a redevelopment plan for the whole of puerto madero, an industrial port area of buenos aires. the completed complex would integrate
living spaces with hotels, recreational areas and community commons. taking advantage of the site's proximity to green spaces and the rio de plata,
the widest river in the world, the nine storey apartment block is penned as a conscious effort to integrate sustainable building practices in argentina.
entrepeneur alan faena teamed up with the pritzker prize winning architect and berdichevsky-cherney architects to redefine porteño living and create
an identity for the faena arts district. the project integrates new construction, like the aleph, with the refurbishment of existing buildings. the exterior
of the apartment building's exterior is exposed vaulted concrete with a repeated set of projecting or set back balconies fitted with solar screens and glazed
balustrades. each unit's facade has particular adjustments to protect the apartments from the varying intensities of the port-side sun.
wooden screens offer privacy
image courtesy faena group
image courtesy faena group
the 50 residences appropriate the size-conscious typology of the uniquely argentinan casa chorizo which places rooms in a straight line covered with exterior doors
and awnings with a thin exterior hallway and patio. the result is a great quality of interior light and passive ventilation. the casa chorizo became common
for multi-tenant buildings and was posited to be the solution to the argentinian housing crisis at the beginning of the twentieth century; however, in the
context of the aleph, the movable screens, double height patios, vaulted ceilings and split-level spaces are given a luxurious twist.
detail
image courtesy faena group
(left) view up from the street
(right) stairs to rooftop terrace
image © nigel young
apartment interior
image © nigel young
slatted sliding panels block the sun and can be angled to adjust to different times of day while still allowing for ventilation
image courtesy faena group
living room
image © nigel young
interiors
image courtesy faena group
screened balcony
image © nigel young
bathroom
image © nigel young
vaulted ceiling panels
image © nigel young
garage
image © nigel young
