CASA MONTAÑESES
The "Chorizo house" is a traditional typology that emerged in Buenos Aires at the end of the 19th century. This typology is characterised by a succession of consecutive rooms along a longitudinal courtyard.
During the 30´ 40´ building on the totality of the plot of land was allowed. Due to this along with real estate speculation, the lots became overdensified, with small constructions confined to the centre of the block, exposed to poor lighting and ventilation conditions.
The project works on one of these houses, adapting it to the needs of a young family, guaranteeing habitability conditions and exploring new ways of inhabiting the block centre.
The intervention is structured in three operations, removing the retractable roof of an existing north-facing courtyard, demolishing a small mezzanine to relocate the vertical circulation and building a new flat roof to hold the private programme of the house.
The main programme is organised around the new courtyard, ensuring optimal lighting and ventilation conditions, while the service and vertical circulation are placed on the opposite party wall.
The vertical circulation resolved by means of a micro-perforated sheet metal staircase filters the light coming from a mobile glass roof through which the terrace is reached.
The courtyard explores the transition between public and private, inside and outside, while the flat terrace, with its garden of native plants, explores a new way of inhabiting the exterior in the lung of the block.
