area 112 | beauty of built

architect: Bakarquitectos

location: Mar Azul, Argentina

year: 2009

The plot we are working on is covered by large maritime pines, and is inclined. Even if this has made it harder to solve the problem of access to the property, it has also made it possible to make the building merge more discreetly with the surroundings, and to shield it from the eyes of passers-by, at the same time allowing the inhabitants to enjoy an ample view of the landscape. The aesthetic and constructive proposal we have developed and implemented aims, analogously with others located at Mar Azul, to combine these characteristics with the requests of the customer, who wanted a house not exceeding 150 square meters, with two bedrooms and, most importantly, a living area in which to receive friends. It was therefore necessary to organize space so as to make it versatile and adapted to different uses, but to make it possible to accommodate overnight guests in this area. The project conceives the house as two pure intersecting prisms, placed in a clearing surrounded by trees. The main area is developed along the longer side of the house, and faces a raised deck which communicates with the building and which becomes an extension of the interior when the large windows are opened. The entrance area is an open space divided in two smaller areas by different floor heights and concrete partitions. First of all a space designed for sitting before the fireplace, equipped with a bench which may be used as a seating for informal dinners served on a low table. In front we find the dining room with its terrace and built-in kitchen, whose work area is concealed by concrete partitions. Another area, which may be turned into a bedroom, is located next to this area.
In the centre of the plan the intersection of the parallelepipeds form a double-height area featuring the stairs to the bedrooms and a glazed front offering a view of the landscape. The stairs to the  semi-basement lead to a very reserved space containing the master bathroom and a bedroom, while those to the upper floor provide access to the master bedroom and its terrace, an area that is particularly isolated from the rest of the house. The terraces outside both bedrooms are crossed by a very old maritime pine which we have preferred not to alter.

Bakarquitectos is a study integrated by the architects María Victoria Besonias, Guillermo de Almeida and Luciano Kruk. They have been awarded for their work in many opportunities. Their latest awards have been: First Prize Biennial of Architecture, Urbanism, Investigation and Theory 2009 organized by CAPBA – category: Single House Isolated. Second Prize “La Arquitectuira y el Ladrillo” in the XII Biennial of Architecture in Buenos Aires 2009 (XII BA09) organized by CAYC for “Brick’s House” First prize Single house isolated in the Biennial 2007 organized by CAPBA for “Concrete House”, also distinguished  with the third honorific mention in the Biennial Pan of Architecture in Quito 2008 (XVI BAQ ). First Prize Single House Isolated in the Biennial of Architecture 2007 organized by CAPBA, for “Concrete House”. Their work “Mar Azul House” was worthy Grand Prize of the Biennial CPAU/SCA 2006 organized by the Professional Agency of Architecture and Urbanism of Buenos Aires City and the Central Society of Architects.The Sacriste Prize of Biennial CAPBA 2005 and the First Prize of Young Architecture of Alucobond 2005. They also were worthy 2º Prize of National Preliminary Competition for Plaza de Mayo’s remediation in December 2006.