Esten House by Estudio Tecla: A Reimagined Rural Retreat in Argentina

Nestled in the forested landscape of Belén de Escobar, Buenos Aires, Esten House by Estudio Tecla transforms an old country shed into a serene weekend retreat. Spanning just 95 square meters, this compact yet carefully designed house redefines the relationship between built space and the surrounding natural environment.

From Shed to Sustainable Sanctuary

Originally used as a rural outbuilding, the structure has been thoughtfully renovated into a temporary rental home or weekend getaway, retaining traces of its vernacular identity while embracing a minimalist, nature-centered lifestyle.

The project, led by architects Valentina Rivarola and Leila Mihura, was born from a desire to create a tranquil domestic space that remains in constant dialogue with its environment.

Architectural Strategy: Mirrored Volumes and Open Living

A key design move was the relocation and reconfiguration of the gallery. By shifting the gallery to the north side—towards the forest—the house now embraces the outdoors through a continuous spatial connection. The gallery's gabled roof mirrors the original volume of the shed, resulting in a dynamic duality of form: one volume solid and enclosed, the other open and porous.

This architectural gesture not only enhances spatial clarity but also symbolically reflects the home’s transformation from a utilitarian structure into a contemplative dwelling.

Adaptive Reuse and Modular Transparency

Sustainability played a subtle yet crucial role. The design reused the original glass-enclosed gallery, incorporating its salvaged windows into the new facade and outdoor living space. The result is a rhythmic series of modules that vary in opacity:

• Solid metal panels offer privacy and protection,
• Polycarbonate screens filter light while shielding from rain,
• Open frames allow full permeability and connection to the landscape.

One of these open frames extends into a pathway through the forest, leading to discrete outdoor spaces and ultimately, a pool that punctuates the landscape with a sense of destination.

A Home for Living Outdoors

Inside, the house maintains a balance between thermal comfort and openness. The living and dining area with integrated kitchen benefits from cross ventilation and walls with air chambers for insulation, providing natural climate control without sacrificing openness.

The two bedrooms offer tranquil views of the garden, reinforcing the sense of retreat and grounding the private spaces in the landscape.

The floor plan itself reflects a 1:1 balance between interior and exterior space—an intentional move to encourage outdoor living in the gallery, where residents can share meals, relax, and connect with nature.

All Photographs are works of Fernando Schapochnik