Greenhouse for the Coexistence of Plants and Humans – salazarsequeromedina

The Greenhouse for the Coexistence of Plants and Humans, designed by salazarsequeromedina in El Carmen, Peru, redefines the relationship between architecture, nature, and domestic life. Built in 2022 with a modest footprint of 110 m², the project blends sustainability, vernacular inspiration, and adaptive reuse to create a space where plants and humans thrive together.

This innovative hybrid structure is conceived as two asymmetrical twins: one half functions as a traditional greenhouse, nurturing plants within a controlled environment, while the other serves as an outdoor living room for people. Their proximity creates a natural symbiosis — the greenhouse conditions the microclimate of the living area, ensuring comfort year-round. It is a place where fruit travels directly to the table, and hands care for the leaves, dissolving the barrier between cultivation and daily life.

Vernacular Inspiration and Sustainable Design

The project draws heavily from the vernacular architecture of rural Peru, where temporary, adaptable structures respond to climate and community needs. Elements like verandas, awnings, and shaded antepatios are reinterpreted into a modern architectural language. The greenhouse is not only functional but also aesthetic and symbolic, embodying the cultural rhythm of agriculture and domestic rituals.

The construction highlights a sustainable material palette. A robust base made from reclaimed “recocho” brick — salvaged from local brickyard waste — rises two meters, providing solidity and permanence. Above this, a lightweight metal framework introduces flexibility and adaptability. The steel elements, sourced from scraps of nearby agricultural infrastructures, make the project affordable, resource-conscious, and environmentally responsible.

Adaptability and Future Transformation

Although designed as a greenhouse and living space, the structure is not fixed to one identity. Its elemental and diaphanous construction allows for future transformations — it could be dismantled, reassembled, or adapted into entirely different programs. This modular approach ensures resilience and a long lifecycle, aligning with contemporary values of circular architecture and sustainable design.

Ultimately, the Greenhouse for the Coexistence of Plants and Humans is more than just a building — it is an ecosystem of coexistence, a shared habitat where architecture, agriculture, and community intersect. By blurring the boundary between plant cultivation and human habitation, it exemplifies a new paradigm of sustainable living in harmony with nature.

All photographs are works of Ivan Salinero