estudio galera constructs concrete kuvasz house in argentina

in cariló, a beach town in argentina, estudio galera has constructed a concrete residence that mediates its undulating terrain. situated on top of a dune, ‘kuvasz house’ is used by its owner in the low season, and is rented out during summer months. thanks to the topography of the site, and the surrounding woodland, the property remains private throughout the year.

all images © diego medina

estudio galera conceived the 3-bedroom home as a ‘path’ that rises and falls in harmony with the sand dune on which it sits. in order to highlight the existing site, the abode is elevated above the landscape and has limited contact with the plot. the L-shaped dwelling is accessed from a lower level that contains utility areas and a table tennis room. from here, an enclosed stairwell punctured with circular apertures leads to the upper storey.

the residence is situated on top of a dune in coastal argentina

the home’s living accommodation is open-plan in layout, with a kitchen connected to an external terrace at one end of the property. from this veranda, residents can make their way down a flight of steps to a secluded swimming pool at the lowest part of the site. intended as a transitional space between the house and the forest, an additional terrace adjoins the lounge.

punctured with circular apertures, an enclosed stairwell leads to the upper storey

‘architecture is connected to technology, but is also connected to phenomenology, the sensorial elements and the context in which one works with,’ explains the design team. ‘the light, the game of shadows, the reflection on different surfaces and textures, they transform the architecture from being static into something dynamic.’

the openings offer glimpses of the landscape beyond

the home’s open-plan living accommodation

an external terrace is found at one end of the property

an additional terrace adjoins the lounge

the property remains private throughout the year

an aerial view of the forested site

video courtesy of estudio galera

‘kuvasz house’ is used by its owner in the low season, and is rented out during summer months

a second flight of stairs leads directly to the pool

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estudio galera kuvasz house buenos aires argentina designboom

project info:

name: kuvasz house
location: contancia neighborhood, carilo, pinamar county, buenos aires, argentina
lot area: 1020.45 sqm
building area: 220 sqm
construction: 2014 – 2016

project team: ariel galera. arq., diego ballario, cesar amarante, francisco villamil. arq.
photography: diego medina
structural engineer: javier mendia
surveyor: claudio deramo
landscape design: pasesaggio

main builder: donato lenis-daza
electricity: gabriel jaimon
plumbing: christian carrizo
ducts: rubén calvo
smithy: rascione – kosak

wooden carpentry: el holandés
aluminum carpentry: anaya – alumia
concrete: pasalto-cemento loma negra
irons – acindar: plastigas
hard supplies: cermat.
plumber supplies: fontaneros
electrical supplies: dunas electricidad
luminaires: imdi ilumination
paints: sagitario
security fencing: secure pool
marble: marmolería del sur
heating: cariló ingeniería