Causana House by ODA - Oficina de Arquitectos Lanzone - Gabarro: A Harmonious Dialogue Between Concrete, Landscape, and Light

Architectural Vision and Layout

Set on a generous 2,500 m² corner plot, the layout of Causana House is structured into three parallel spatial strips, each serving a distinct function and characterized by unique material expressions:

• The southern strip is solid and protective, with minimal openings that frame selective views of the distant mountains. It serves as a visual and thermal buffer, offering privacy and insulation.
• The central strip is the most flexible—open and adaptable, designed to evolve with the family’s daily activities. This space acts as the social core, encouraging interaction and fluid movement.
• The northern strip is open and light-filled, designed to connect the home seamlessly with its surroundings of thorns and carob trees. This zone blurs the line between indoor and outdoor living, embracing the sun and expansive views.

Form and Function: A Subtle Division of Spaces

A deliberate displacement of these three bands establishes a nuanced separation between public and private zones. This staggered spatial rhythm introduces gradients of intimacy, creating an architectural choreography that allows the structure to breathe and evolve with the day’s changing light.

The entry sequence begins with a carob tree at the corner of the site—a symbolic gesture of welcome. A low concrete ribbon set into the landscape subtly guides visitors, leading them under a floating concrete beam that visually frames the sky and sets the tone for what lies ahead. The house begins to dissolve into its environment, revealing the elegance of raw concrete, expressive shadows, and the earthy palette of its natural context.

Interior Spaces: Timeless, Open, and Functional

The interiors flow organically toward the north-facing sunlight, crafting spaces designed for gathering, contemplation, and celebration. Open-plan living areas follow one another in an unbroken sequence—ideal for a lifestyle centered around family and connection. These living spaces are framed by large windows, allowing the stunning landscape to become an ever-changing backdrop.

In contrast, the private rooms, while equally connected to the northern light, are more introspective and enclosed, offering serene spaces for rest and retreat.

Materiality and Structural Expression

At Causana House, structure is synonymous with architecture. Few in number but bold in presence, the structural components are rigorously ordered and geometrically pure. The house is defined by horizontal concrete beams—some grounded and monumental, others floating, playing with visual lightness despite their material weight.

These beams form the only visible horizontal plane of the home, emphasizing the low-lying, grounded nature of the structure. To the south, walls rise to form enclosures, while transverse walls subtly demarcate spaces within. The floating concrete roof beams act like sculptural gestures in the sky, casting shifting shadows and drawing attention to the vast openness above.

Philosophical Undertones: A House as a Thoughtful Object in the Landscape

Causana House challenges conventional dichotomies—Heavy vs. Ethereal, Material vs. Void, Shadow vs. Light. It is a dwelling that contemplates its own presence: at once grounded and light, solid and transparent. Like a stone gently placed on the grass, the house rests in quiet confidence, embodying a form of architectural humility that resonates with its surroundings.

Every design decision reflects a commitment to simplicity, permanence, and harmony, resulting in a timeless home that seamlessly bridges architecture and nature.

All the photographs are works of Agustin Grillo, Ana Tillous