House 3X6 by Karlen + Clemente: A Contemporary Retreat in Río Tercero

Located on the outskirts of Río Tercero, Argentina, House 3X6 by Karlen + Clemente is a contemporary residential project designed for temporary and recreational living. Completed in 2022, the house spans 326 m² and reflects a careful balance between functional flexibility, minimalist aesthetics, and material authenticity.

Site and Context

The home is set on a trapezoidal corner lot that naturally guided its compact placement toward the center of the site. This thoughtful positioning allows the green landscape to wrap around the house, creating a seamless relationship between architecture and nature. The design prioritizes openness to the garden, ensuring that outdoor spaces become an integral part of daily life.

Program and Functionality

Designed primarily as a vacation and leisure residence, House 3X6 emphasizes accessibility, adaptability, and comfort. The layout follows a linear sequence of spaces, guiding residents and visitors from public to private areas with clarity:

• Entrance: Separate vehicular and pedestrian access, generously set back from the street to create perspective and privacy.
• First Strip – Services: Kitchen, toilet-laundry room, and supporting functions for daily use.
• Central Strip – Social Spaces: A living room and dining area, divided by an exposed brick wall that introduces warmth and texture.
• Final Strip – Private Areas: Two bedrooms, a shared bathroom, and a master suite with en-suite bath and dressing room.
• Outdoor Extensions: A gallery with pool and pergolas, providing shaded transitions between indoor comfort and the lush garden.

This arrangement reflects the architects’ goal of ensuring long-term usability and fluid spatial connections.

Architectural Character and Materials

Karlen + Clemente embraced a pure and compact architectural language, where forms are defined by intersecting planes and carefully selected materials. The façade development reveals a blend of durability and timelessness:

• Exposed Concrete: Structured with plank formwork, adding rhythm and texture.
• Exposed Brick Masonry: Warmth and permanence expressed in both exterior and interior walls.
• Aluminum and Glass Carpentry: Framing light-filled openings that enhance transparency.
• Black Ironwork: Adding bold contrasts and structural clarity.

This material palette ensures low maintenance, while also creating a residence that feels both contemporary and enduring.

Living Experience

The house is designed as a sanctuary for relaxation, where social gatherings, leisure, and private rest coexist within a cohesive environment. The interplay of natural light, material honesty, and garden integration makes House 3X6 more than just a temporary dwelling—it becomes a space of renewal and retreat.

House 3X6 by Karlen + Clemente is a remarkable example of Argentine residential architecture that blends clarity, compactness, and contextual sensitivity. It demonstrates how thoughtful design and material authenticity can transform a modest corner site into a modern haven of comfort and timeless beauty.

All Photographs are works of Gonzalo Viramonte