triangular courtyard slices moarqs' remote, pitch-roofed house in argentina forest

moarqs tucks house in meliquina in argentina forest

Overlooking the Lake Meliquina in Argentina, this scenic vacation home by moarqs sits within the Patagonian Andean forest, engulfed in native vegetation. With its dark corrugated steel skin and wooden interiors, the structure becomes at one with its environment, positioned to capture panoramic views of the glacial lakes and mountains beyond.

Adopting an eco-conscious approach, the studio integrates ecological strategies for self-sufficiency given the house’s remote forest location and lack of on-site services. Water is harvested from rainfall and stored in tanks; solar panels and batteries generate electrical power; heating is provided by a combination of wood stoves and radiant water systems, minimizing environmental impact and ensuring residents can enjoy diverse climates year-round.

all images by Javier Agustin Rojas

a self-sufficient home for remote year-round functioning

The House in Meliquina, nestled on the mountainside, occupies a 1500 square meter plot with the main floor spanning 100 square meters. moarqs has optimized the program to bring in abundant natural light and views of the environment, positioning two small bedrooms and a bathroom on the upper level, and primary living spaces on the ground level. Here, a 41-degree rotation forms an interior triangular courtyard amid the steep pitched roofs sloping in different directions, seamlessly connecting the night and day zones.

Compliant with seismic regulations, the Buenos Aires-based studio has completed the structure with a reinforced concrete slab foundation supporting a lightweight framed structure constructed with pine wood. The exterior is sheathed in 5mm pre-painted black corrugated steel sheets with a zincalum base, while white-painted eucalyptus planks inject lightness across the interiors, from the flooring to the vertical surfaces.

moarqs tucks House in Meliquina in Argentina forest