Entrecopas House: Harmonizing Architecture with the Andean Coastal Landscape

  Architects: Marina Vella Arquitectura

Entrecopas House is nestled 105 km north of Lima, at the convergence of the Andean foothills and the coastal desert. Located within the fertile Santa Rosa Irrigation Valley, this site is enriched by groundwater that fosters lush vegetation and attracts diverse bird species. The house is part of the historic Campo Nuevo farm, known since 1981 for raising fighting bulls, Peruvian Paso horses, fighting cocks, and free-range hens.

The subdivision of part of the farm by the owners allowed a new residential lot, preserving the original leafy ficus avenue, creating a dialogue between heritage and new development. The project emphasizes continuity with existing farm structures while respecting the natural topography and views.

Program and Spatial Organization

The 3,531 m² flat lot provides ample visual connectivity with the farm. Entrecopas House accommodates a comprehensive program for both indoor and outdoor activities, capable of hosting multiple visitors simultaneously. The house is organized into five primary zones:

• Guest Zone: Positioned near the pedestrian entrance and shaded by existing trees.
• Social Zone: Includes terraces and communal living areas aligned with the old boulevard of trees.
• Private Zone: Bedrooms and intimate spaces designed for comfort and climate control.
• Technical Zone: Service areas integrated discreetly into the architecture.
• Outdoor Social Zone: Open spaces using local materials, connecting inhabitants with the environment.

The house’s volumetry and layout respond to the orientation of the sun and wind, framing southern views while optimizing daylight from east to west. High windows and voids enhance natural light penetration and airflow, creating comfort without mechanical intervention.

Integration with Nature and Heritage

The design respects the farm’s heritage while emphasizing environmental responsiveness. Volumes align with the seven existing trees along the old boulevard, creating a rhythm of solids and voids. The first tree defines the pedestrian entrance and guest bedrooms, the next three frame social terraces, the sixth shapes a patio between children’s bedrooms and the living room, and the last tree anchors the master bedroom garden.

Shade from the tree canopy moderates high temperatures, while gentle winds over foliage generate natural soundscapes, enhancing the sensory experience throughout the house.

Materials and Construction

Entrecopas House draws inspiration from traditional Peruvian building methods. Existing farm buildings informed material selection, revealing locally manufactured bricks using gravel-rich sand and artisan black iron molds.

• Handcrafted Bricks: Tempera-painted bricks provide thermal resistance, keeping interiors cool under intense sunlight.
• Quincha Technique: Traditional Peruvian construction combining wood, reeds, and earth defines the social area, highlighting vertical wooden structures for fresh, airy spaces.
• Certified Huayruro Wood: Resistant to local climate, used for beams and columns, emphasizing verticality and structural elegance.
• Reeds and Eucalyptus: Locally sourced for outdoor social areas, reinforcing sustainability and material authenticity.

The material palette creates a protective, climate-adapted skin while visually connecting the house to its surroundings.

Architectural Experience

Entrecopas House offers a seamless integration of interior and exterior spaces. Dining, living, and social areas flow naturally towards terraces and gardens, maintaining visual and physical continuity with the landscape. The careful articulation of mass, voids, and openings creates intimate moments while allowing expansive views across the valley.

This residence is an exemplary model of context-sensitive architecture, blending local tradition, sustainable materials, and thoughtful spatial organization to enhance both human comfort and environmental harmony.

All photographs are works of  Lorena Noblecilla