3X3 House by IR Arquitectura: Innovative Residential Design in San Isidro, Argentina

Located in the lower part of San Isidro, Argentina, the 3X3 House by IR arquitectura is a modern residential project that redefines compact urban living. Completed in 2020, the house occupies a narrow lot between party walls, strategically oriented south-southeast to maximize sunlight exposure at the rear, while maintaining privacy and protection from the street.

Context and Site Strategy

The house rises 1.2 meters above street level to mitigate flood risks, creating a safe and elevated platform for the residence. Its placement also carefully distances it from the pedestrian path, ensuring a private and serene living experience. The project balances environmental factors with user comfort, establishing a thoughtful connection between interior and exterior spaces.

Architectural Concept, The 3x3 Grid

The 3X3 House is organized around a nine-quadrant grid spanning two levels. This modular approach structures the home into social spaces on the ground floor and private zones on the upper level, optimizing circulation, light, and functionality.

• The central quadrant serves as a vertical void, linking both floors and creating a natural flow of light and ventilation.
• Adjacent quadrants house utilities and bathrooms, freeing up the remaining spaces for social interaction and living areas.
• Access is defined by a sequence of ramps, semi-covered zones, and a front patio, creating a fluid transition between public and private areas.

Indoor-Outdoor Integration

The design emphasizes a strong relationship with nature.

• The front hemisphere opens to a calm garden, offering a serene interface with the city.
• The rear hemisphere connects to a lively garden, including a pool and outdoor recreation area, promoting social interaction and family activities.

Upper Level, Privacy and Comfort

The upper floor utilizes the structural grid to create a masonry wall box, enhancing energy efficiency, thermal and acoustic insulation, and privacy for bedrooms and intimate spaces.

• Bathrooms align vertically with those on the ground floor for plumbing efficiency.
• A glazed panel over the central void brings natural light deep into the home.
• A walkway connects secondary bedrooms to the front, while the master suite enjoys a rear-facing private terrace, dressing room, and dedicated play area.

Materiality and Spatial Flexibility

The house’s quadrants maintain equal dimensions, with differentiation achieved through their connection to the outside. This allows users to freely adapt and transform spaces, reflecting personal lifestyle needs. Interiors combine transparency and solidity, balancing privacy with openness, and creating a versatile, dynamic home.

Photography

Photographs by Fernando Schapochnik capture the delicate balance of light, space, and materiality, highlighting both the geometric clarity of the exterior and the fluidity of the interior layout.

All photographs are works of  Fernando Schapochnik