of studio's contemporary residential tower coexists with landmark

of studio, an architectural firm based in the uk, proposes a residential building in the very heart of a block center in mendoza, argentina. the new building’s expressive, functional, and technological elements will interact with the province’s historic surrounding buildings. the building attempts to be a well-balanced combination of heritage and contemporaneity within a site that successfully embraces traditional lifestyles.

all images © negativ

the architects aim to produce a renowned, high-quality building, recognized for its slenderness and elegance amidst the neighborhood. it strives—through its functional and efficient interiors—to provide a similar experience to that of the traditional homes in mendoza, which are rich in patios, terraces, gardens, and exceptional views of the mountains and the city. the tower’s brutalist formal geometry is conceived on four axes, which enrich the structure with more functional spaces receiving natural sunlight. in addition to this, the forms enable the building to be aired naturally with cross-ventilation.

the large, wavy balconies allow for rhythmic open spaces and act as sun protecting devices. the central core has vertical and horizontal circulation, calculated to serve the entire building’s resident population. the core also brings indirect natural light into the structure, which fills the living area of the residences when it shines through translucent glass blocks. additionally, the tower features a conduit intended for air mobility, which will allow interconnecting the basement with the upper floors and thus create a vertical air flow.

on the building’s ground floor, the main entrance communicates directly to the lobby and is fully integrated with the surrounding historic area. this open space creates a communal living room complete with library and direct access to the tower’s gardens. also, close to the car entrance on the east side, there is a secondary entrance that leads to an independent area designed as a coworking space. this area provides a new and engaging social dimension, a feature that adds a valuable element to the project’s use.

the coworking area is surrounded by a garden, providing tranquillity and a sense of ___, a concept related to the historic ground cloisters previously located in the centre of the block. the building’s amenities can be found on the top floor, which includes a multipurpose room, a wine cellar, a rooftop swimming pool, grill and bbq area, and spaces for events or meetings.

of studio’s design for the apartments includes three units that are repeated throughout and group all bathroom units in the same area of the building. the apartments’ standard shape, as well as their size, has been carefully considered in order to speed up the construction process through reiteration. the architecture of the building itself regulates climate control, including providing natural sunlight and ventilation in all of the units.

reinforced concrete informs the building’s aesthetic and construction process, as all forms can be built using systemized modular casts. the curved, brutalist geometry and raw concrete finish create a contemprary building in the middle of a historic location. besides the project’s functionality and residential benefits, it is fully compatible with renewable energy, sustainability management and water recycling methods.

project info:

architecture firm: of studio

project name: pz residential tower

location: mendoza, argentina

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edited by: cristina gomez | designboom