SISTER HOUSES
Simón Albina
ARCHITECTS
Simón Albina
ARCHITECT IN CHARGE
Simón Albina
PHOTOGRAPHS
Simón Albina
AREA
115 m²
YEAR
2024
LOCATION
City Bell, Argentina
CATEGORY
Residential Architecture, Houses
English description provided by the architects.
The houses are located in the City Bell neighborhood of La Plata, at the end of a street that intersects with the Ecological Park.
They share a pedestrian and vehicular access between the two front lots and were constructed in a mirrored fashion.
On lots measuring 12.50 x 22.00 meters each, the homes leave 3 meters in their front for car parking and open up to the galleries and gardens divided in the back, within the heart of the block.
Exposed brick was chosen as the main reference material; it has been combined with concrete and gray corrugated metal. The result of this variety creates a contrast of materials and highlights the different uses found within the houses.
The materials were selected based on their low maintenance, but especially because the users feel a connection with them due to having coexisted with them over time.
In our studio, we understand that this relationship between users and materials is important as it relates to the identification with the space they inhabit.
This is our starting point for developing each project, without limiting ourselves to imposing the same style every time.
The ground floors contain the public areas of the houses, with integrated spaces that allow for flexible arrangements depending on the occasion.
Additionally, there are service areas connected to the exterior, such as laundry rooms. The upper floors house the private and work areas: first, the studies, followed by bathrooms and bedrooms at the ends, in order to prioritize privacy between one home and another.
Using recycled materials from demolition houses, we utilized pinotea wood for the floors of the upper levels and also exposed beams and ceiling wood to add warmth to the spaces. The houses have windows that open to the front to allow afternoon light to enter, but the most significant large windows face the back, with the intention of providing greater privacy.
