“Long House by Balsa Crosetto Piazzi: Contemporary Linear Living in Córdoba, Argentina”

Long House, designed by the acclaimed architectural firm Balsa Crosetto Piazzi, is a remarkable exploration of the boundary where urban and rural landscapes converge. Situated in the suburban periphery of Córdoba City, Argentina, the residence occupies a typical plot size for the region, 50 meters deep by 25 meters wide. By embracing the lot’s elongated dimensions, the architects designed a home that stretches linearly, combining robust brick walls with a lightweight metal roof, harmonizing with nearby sheds and local infrastructure while respecting the site’s natural rhythm.

Linear Typology and Spatial Organization

Drawing inspiration from historical long dwellings found worldwide, Long House adopts a linear typology where spaces are organized in a continuous sequence. The main living areas: kitchen, dining, and lounge: occupy the central nave, while service, storage, and utility spaces are tucked along the sides. This arrangement creates a fluid, open layout, allowing every room to connect seamlessly to the central patio. Natural light floods the interiors, and cross-ventilation enhances the home’s environmental comfort, promoting a strong indoor-outdoor connection.

Structural Innovation and Functional Design

The house’s structural system is both pragmatic and elegant. The thick brick walls not only support the sloped metal roof but also integrate a hydraulic function, channeling rainwater toward U-shaped concrete beams embedded within the walls. This integration of structure and utility reflects a thoughtful approach to material efficiency and sustainability.

Furthermore, the walls serve a dual purpose: they conceal functional programs such as bathrooms, kitchens, closets, and technical areas, while simultaneously acting as thermal and acoustic barriers. This creates a defined “thick edge” between interior and exterior spaces, enhancing comfort and privacy while giving the house a strong architectural presence.

Materiality and Sustainability

Material choice is central to Long House’s design philosophy. Local brick is used extensively for its durability, aesthetic warmth, and connection to regional construction traditions. Complementing the brick walls, the cost-effective, zero-maintenance metal roof reinforces the project’s practical and environmental considerations. By utilizing locally available resources and straightforward construction methods, the architects achieved a balance between contemporary design and context-sensitive building practices.

This approach reflects a broader commitment to sustainable architecture: one that respects economic realities, local craft traditions, and environmental potential, while creating a contemporary, habitable space that responds intelligently to its surroundings.

Experience and Atmosphere

Walking through Long House is an experience of spatial continuity. The linear arrangement, combined with the interplay of light, ventilation, and material texture, creates a serene, functional, and visually cohesive home. Every element, from the positioning of windows to the integration of hidden storage, demonstrates meticulous attention to detail and a philosophy that elevates everyday living through architecture.

All photographs are works of  Marcos Guiponi