Out of the Box: 9 Innovative Concrete Homes in Argentina

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Argentina’s jaw-dropping natural landscape, complete with untouched forests, dunes, mountain ranges, and a picturesque coastline, provides an ideal backdrop for progressive architecture. Sensitive to the local topography, Argentinian designers choose materials and silhouettes that blend in with the setting. In response to the landscape, architects are turning to concrete construction and interlocking rectangular volumes to accommodate environmental needs and accomplish aesthetic goals.

Monochrome concrete façades not only preserve thermal energy but also deaden exterior noise, thus preserving the tranquility of these remote residences. The material’s malleability allows designers to experiment with geometry so that the architecture envelops the uneven ground, instead of digging into it and disrupting the idyllic environment. The rectangular forms meet and diverge to accommodate the terrain and create aesthetic interest. Take a look at the following examples:

AV House by BAK Arquitectos, Mar Azul, Argentina

Hidden in the forest of Mar Azul, this geometric concrete home blends in with the surrounding environment. The concrete surfaces are interrupted by glass panels that let in natural light and give the residents open views of the woods.

Casa Codina by A4estudio, Mendoza, Argentina

Located in a residential area outside the city of Mendoza, this box-like modern home is built for flat land. The concrete walls are designed to leave a space for an internal garden.

House E246 by ACARQS, Tigre, Argentina

Made of reinforced concrete, glass screens, and aluminum windows, this monochrome home is designed to highlight the surrounding greenery. The cantilevered top floor allows for long views of the landscape.

Batin House by Estudio Galera, Pinamar, Argentina

Two elongated rectangular volumes meet to form this L-shaped home. The concrete walls are broken up by timber paneling and floor-to-ceiling windows to add a lightness to the design.

MR House by Luciano Kruk arquitectos, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Set in Argentina’s dunes, this modern residence reflects the rugged feel of the the landscape. Concrete walls and wood paneling add a sense of roughness, offset by reflective glass windows and clean-cut shapes.

Sobrino House by A4estudio, Mendoza, Argentina

Raised above ground, this spacious home offers second-floor views on the first floor. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows interrupt the smooth concrete walls to let natural light pour in.

Concrete House by Besonias Almeida Arquitectos, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Nestled in the woods, this concrete home matches the surrounding timber. The structure is built into the hilly terrain, blending in with the forest landscape.

Wein House by Besonias Almeida Arquitectos, Pinamar, Argentina

Built into a sand dune, people enter the house on a tilted driveway. The gray concrete blends in with the pale sand on the ground.

Casa Pedroso byBAK Arquitectos,Buenos Aires, Argentina

Concrete walls define the interior and exterior of this Buenos Aires residence. The clean lines and glass panels contrast the roughness of the concrete material.

The judging process for Architizer's 12th Annual A+Awards is now away. Subscribe to our Awards Newsletter to receive updates about Public Voting, and stay tuned for winners announcements later this spring.