BAK arquitectos: casa AV
a summer retreat in the forested maritime suburbs of buenos aires uses elegantly limited material vocabulary to pay homage to the site and prove the powerful presence of absence.
‘casa AV’ by BAK arquitectos, mar azul, buenos aires, argentina
image © gustavo sosa pinilla
all images courtesy of BAK arquitectos
‘casa AV’ is part of a series of light-capturing summer homes in the forested coastal settlement of mar azul, a suburban retreat in the outskirts of buenos aires, argentina. designed by local firm BAK arquitectos, the rental properties act as a proposal of possible forms, materials and programs that can quietly resonate in the picturesque landscape while respecting the timelessness of the wooded site. the spirit of the house is centered around an ambiance of relaxation and recreation, so the architects chose materials and forms that responded to the maritime micro-climate. since the thickly forested site gave rise to the problem of interior light, the house was conceived as a ‘semi-covered’ structure with large panes of glazing allowing for both total immersion with the bucolic surroundings and long hours of natural illumination. the outer skin of the building is also comprised of exposed concrete, especially striking in the wood-grain texture left behind from the molds. the effect of the casting technique is that of a slate-colored wood slabs unobtrusively woven into the sloped ground plane. the pared down material scheme also allows for the forest to feel like another building system, a protective layer that further proves the powerful presence of absence.
‘casa AV’ is a series of simple volumes that work around the landscape
image © gustavo sosa pinilla
the forest acts as a protective ‘third skin’ for the summer home
image © gustavo sosa pinilla
large panes of glass work to visually bring the woods into the built form
image © gustavo sosa pinilla
interior view through the main axis of the house
image © gustavo sosa pinilla
concrete was cast in wooden molds, then left exposed to keep the wood grain texture in the slabs
image © gustavo sosa pinilla
interior and exterior become a seamless environment
image © gustavo sosa pinilla
the kitchen area continues the language of planes and diffused light
image © gustavo sosa pinilla
image © gustavo sosa pinilla
long slivers of glazing provide large areas of interior light
image © gustavo sosa pinilla
a wood deck’s grain mimics the texture of the concrete and is all synthesized by the surrounding wildnerness
image © gustavo sosa pinilla
weathering contributes to the further integration of the building to the site
image © gustavo sosa pinilla
site plan
floor plan
section 1
section 2
project info:
location: mar azul, villa gesell, buenos aires, argentina destination of use: residential/rentalarchitects: BAK arquitectos, maría victoria besonías, luciano kruk collaborators: nuria jover, enzo vitaliland area: 600 m2built area: 110 m2construction year: 2011
