From the series “Houses of Sheet Metal”. This project, located just a few meters from the Carnaval stream in Villa Elisa (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina), sits on a steeply sloped site — a condition that creates a particular relationship with its surroundings. In this way, the house naturally turns its back to the street and opens forcefully toward the green space generated by the regulatory setback associated with the stream.

Two construction decisions summarize the main approaches to this project. On one hand, containing the earth pressure caused by the natural slope of the terrain with reinforced concrete walls. On the other, resolving the upper floor with a lightweight, dry-assembled volume (metal, sheet metal, and wood) resting on the retaining walls.

These two decisions result in a house with a clear contrast in architectural language and relationship with the landscape, between the public and private areas of the house.

Location: Villa Elisa – Buenos Aires Province – Argentina
Project: Luis Barandiarán
Collaborators: Arq. Lautaro Larotonda, Arq. Micaela De la Fuente
Structural Engineering: Ing. Juan Luis Rojas
Area: 120 m²
Year: 2022