baag creates casa scout as a vertical nature observatory

baag creates casa scout as a vertical nature observatory
all images by baag

located on a standard 8.6m wide lot in buenos aires, local practice baag (buenos aires arquitectura grupal) has recently completed ‘casa scout’ to host the various activities of the scouts year-round. the challenge lay in designing a structure large enough and sufficiently versatile so as to accommodate a wide range of functions all the while adhering to a building envelope that would fit within the surrounding neighborhood context. the design resulted as a series of overlaid systems that altogether form a holistic structure characterized by ample amounts of natural light and an ever-present garden.

the five-story building complete with rooftop garden is comprised of a reinforced concrete structure organized around a regular grid. each floor contains several voids that overlap vertically to form a network of atria from which each room looks into, expands from, or sits within. using this strategy the architects are able to separate spaces while maintaining a sense of overall unity- a strategy which also lends to an efficient way of getting natural light from the skylights and large windows that line each floor into every space.

the second layer of structure consists of a series of custom, interactive wooden shelving/wall fixtures. these kinetic walls not only serve structural purposes but also relate specifically to each space. some contain shelving, others drawers or cabinets, others windows that can be open and shut to create more privacy within the building. the softer timber palette offsets the stark white walls, polished floors and exposed concrete structure. along the exterior walls full height operable windows offer views to the exterior from every space, and within a grid of interlocked voids creates opportunities for cross ventilation that plays a crucial role in passive temperature control and air quality without the use of artificial systems. outside each window is a continuous planter and drainage system fed from rainwater collected on the rooftops. throughout the building you can find commelina erecta, fuchsia magellanica, macfadynea unguis-cati, podranea ricasoliana and pyrostegia ventusta, planted by the scouts themselves.

wrapping around the entire structure is a continuous custom made rebar mesh that serves as a security screen but primarily as the framework for the plants to overtake to eventually form a living green wall. once grown to a certain point, this vegetative wall will serve as a brise soleil helping to filter out direct sunlight and providing a constant element of nature to each floor.

overlapping spaces provide views from each room

custom wooden shelves and walls relate to each room and subdivide spaces

atria of several levels help disperse natural light throughout

plants are always present on each floor through every window, allowing children to interact with them

basement is light by large window wells forming exterior spaces

stairs leading to the rooftop deck area

rooftop deck covered int he same mesh that will eventually be overgrown with vegetation

rebar mesh detail

rear elevation

front elevation

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project info:

architecture: baag l buenos aires arquitectura grupal –
architects: griselda balian, gabriel monteleone, gaston noriega, maria emilia porcelli.
collaborators: santiago chudnovsky, dario rivero
client: unión general armenia de beneficencia.
location: niceto vega 4777, caba, argentina
year: project 2009/2011 – construction 2011/2014
built area: 360m2
landscape consultant: ing. agronómo paisajista fernando gonzalez
structural engineering: ing. mario saieg
metalwork: oficios asociados / conses s.r.l. / doblanic
sanitation consultant: kauce s.r.l.
photography: baag