BAK arquitectos embeds water courtyard into torcuato house

BAK arquitectos embeds water courtyard into torcuato house
all images courtesy of BAK arquitectos architecture office

during a design brief with BAK arquitectos architecture office, it was specified that within the confines of 280m² their clients needed three bedrooms (one ensuite with built-in wardrobe), a generous living room with fireplace, a dining area integrated into the kitchen, and a veranda with a barbecue area. in response, the architects proposed that the ‘torcuato house’ in buenos aires be two volumes, each housing two floors, connected by circulation paths that surround a water courtyard. this formal organization made the planning process easier, providing as much sunlight as possible through the façades.

elevation

the distribution of the programs in two constraints also granted the designers the ability to separate the public from the private. therefore, on the ground floor of the first volume are the family and communal areas, with scenes of the exterior protected by concrete partitions at the front. this space is simultaneously open toward the courtyard in the heart of the complex, developing a stronger relationship to the second volume. across the water, the plan supplies the desire for an outdoor grill space that extends off of the dining room and kitchen.

looking across the water from the exterior

upstairs, the division gives privacy to the main bedroom and its service areas with large openings toward the back of the lot, and is more controlled towards the central feature. to cross above the ground, a bridge, parallel to the staircase, connects to the laundry room, the bathroom, and the guest room. upon crossing the double height living room, the path ends at the entrance of the son’s bedroom, who remains isolated from the rest of the house to overlook the center of the dwelling and backyard through his own terrace.

the water courtyard

‘we always face each new assignment as an opportunity to research in the field of theoretical and practical architecture. this time it seemed appropriate to continue deepening on the inclusion of a water courtyard in the project. it was a very interesting result achieved in the opportunity, because the courtyard was added to the adjoining rooms providing them a feeling of spaciousness, a changing atmosphere by the effects of light coming through them, and also the water gives them freshness, reflections, and visions of a moving surface.’ – besonias almeida arquitectos

double height living room

the living room is partially covered to the front, and completely open to the water

interior

bedroom

elevation

the structure at night 

plan 

section

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