estudio galera builds composition of concrete outside buenos aires

estudio galera sites its ‘casa divisadero’ in the coastal town of cariló, outside buenos aires. the dwelling exists as an autonomous artifact with no clear architectural identity. strictly respecting the site’s setbacks, vegetation, and natural topography, the inward-looking house generates its own world. realized in austere concrete as a rectangular prism along one level, three subtracted volumes generate patios which serve to ventilate the perimeter and introduce transitional spaces between the interior and exterior. the boundary of the house transforms as these patio spaces can be closed off at the outer edge with roll down shutters, securing the privacy of the residents.

all images © diego medina

estudio galera was faced with the challenge of siting the compact ‘casa divisadero’ with an orientation which maximizes sunlight while integrating a street-facing garage. penetrating the volume, a subtracted void isolates the garage and introduces an entry courtyard. as the single-level volume sits upon a gently sloping topography, the house extends outward on a lifted slab. subtractions from this slab serve to illuminate those spaces which are further inward from the perimeter.

the formal austerity of the house reflects that of the exposed concrete. one of the main design objectives was to offer a house which is performatively low maintenance as the owners use intend for the house to serve as a vacation home. the materiality as well as iron and galvanized sheets integrated into the exterior doors were selected for both low maintenance and expressive qualities. with its height, materiality, and form, the house does not intend to stand out in the landscape. instead, the simple, rustic and robust architecture exists within the nearly untouched natural environment.