Blue house
Santa Fe, Argentina
This high-end residential project involved transforming a traditional Casa patio, a typical Argentine house with rooms arranged linearly around a lateral patio or gallery. These houses are known for their narrow yet deep plots, usually measuring around 10 meters wide by 50 meters deep. The standard design is characterized by a richly ornamented rectangular façade with several tall, narrow windows of similar dimensions, each reflecting a classical style.
The goal of this renovation was to adapt the house to accommodate a family of six while maintaining a dialogue with the outdoor spaces, ensuring natural light and ventilation throughout all rooms.
The entrance to the house is through a zaguán-garage, which includes a modern wrought-iron gate that separates the home from the street.
From there, a hallway flows seamlessly into an open kitchen, which is connected to the dining room.
The kitchen features a custom-made breakfast bar designed from high-quality wood for casual meals.
This entrance space also serves as a hub that distributes access to the main areas of the house:
the living room
the upper-level studio or upper living area
the secret patio
the outdoor patio-and terrace with service room
The 3 bedrooms.
The inner patio, at the heart of the home, is filled with light and has unique handcrafted details, such as a river-stone floor arranged in a circular pattern with symbolic significance for the family. It acts as an outdoor living area, it is a central point for natural light and airflow, bringing charm and vitality to the family living areas.
Upstairs, there is a terrace that covers most of the rooftop area, providing an expansive space for gatherings and celebrations. The terrace functions as both a private retreat and a social area, perfect for hosting large events. It also contains a laundry - service room.
The façade of the house retains its original geometries but incorporates a modern reinterpretation of Spanish-style balconies and windows, now in a minimalist form. This gives the upper living area a skylight, adding distinction to both the exterior façade and the interior spaces.
The interior decoration was thoughtfully curated by the homeowner and her architect daughters, showcasing unique artworks and carefully selected furniture and objects that blend personal and aesthetic significance.
Overall, the house preserves its historic essence while offering modern functionality and elegance, with natural light and open spaces fostering a harmonious connection between the indoors and the outdoors.