House I by En Obra Arquitectos: A Modern Summer Retreat in Costa Esmeralda, Argentina

Location: Costa Esmeralda, Bosques, Argentina Architects: En Obra Arquitectos Year: 2022 Area: 178 m² Photography: Mariano Imperial

A Coastal Summer House in the Forest

Near Pinamar, in the rapidly growing Costa Esmeralda neighborhood, House I by En Obra Arquitectos emerges as a refined response to the unique landscapes of Argentina’s Atlantic coast. The residential community is defined by coastal dunes, pine forests, and proximity to the sea, elements that deeply informed the architectural design.

The house sits on a rectangular plot where flat land transitions into a rising dune. Sparse yet dominant pine trees shape the construction limits, encouraging the architects to weave built form with landscape interventions and courtyards that enhance the living experience.

L-Shaped Design and Functional Clarity

House I follows an L-shaped implantation, strategically oriented to capture optimal north and east sunlight. The design is composed of two perpendicular volumes:

• The transverse block – housing the social and communal areas such as the living room, dining space, and kitchen.
• The longitudinal block – containing the private sleeping quarters.

A glazed corridor links the volumes through an internal courtyard, blurring boundaries between interior and exterior. This connection not only enhances cross-ventilation and daylight but also provides a serene focal point, enriching the home’s spatial rhythm.

Interior-Exterior Continuity

Transparency is central to House I. Floor-to-ceiling glazed facades at the front and back dissolve the limits between garden and interior. The social zone becomes a gallery of crossed views, adaptable through sliding enclosures that expand or contract the space depending on activity and season.

One striking design gesture is the “bathroom to reflect” – a fully glazed bathroom overlooking the internal courtyard, where natural light, stone textures, and greenery create a contemplative environment.

Material Authenticity and Coastal Resilience

The architects selected materials with durability in mind, suited for coastal living with minimal maintenance. The structure combines exposed concrete and balsamic stone, emphasizing purity, rawness, and permanence.

Black anodized aluminum carpentry adds brightness and transparency, while custom-designed furniture in paradise wood brings warmth and refinement to the interiors. The material palette achieves a balance of strength and softness, grounding the summer retreat in its natural setting.

A Contemporary Argentine Coastal Retreat

House I embodies modern coastal architecture—a project that harmonizes with its forested dune surroundings while offering functional clarity, spatial fluidity, and material authenticity. More than a seasonal getaway, it reflects a contemporary interpretation of summer housing in Argentina, where light, landscape, and lifestyle converge seamlessly.