Mountain House by Coonvite: A Biophilic Retreat in the Colombian Andes

Nestled in the verdant western mountain range of the Colombian Andes, between Medellín and Guarne in Antioquia, the Mountain House by Coonvite embodies an ecosystemic approach to residential architecture. Completed in 2022, this 150 m² home harmonizes sustainable design, biophilic principles, and flexible modular construction, offering a modern yet culturally grounded mountain retreat for families seeking balance with nature.

Context and Landscape Integration

Located in a humid tropical climate with average temperatures of 14°C and relative humidity up to 89%, the site is surrounded by forests, agricultural landscapes, and plateaus, creating a visually diverse and ecologically sensitive environment. The house demonstrates a careful interplay between conservation and human habitation, allowing residents to experience the mountains without compromising the ecosystem.

Stilted Architecture for Minimal Impact

Following ancestral palafitic techniques, the home is elevated on stilts to minimize soil disruption, manage rainwater, and maintain ecological connectivity. This elevated footprint creates intermediate spaces that shelter biodiversity while offering functional outdoor areas for family life.

Modular and Multipurpose Structural Design

The Mountain House uses a metal skeleton of columns and beams, forming three 50 m² modules connected by transparent bridges. This adaptable framework allows for staged construction, experimentation with diverse materials: masonry, wood, metal sheets, superboard plates, and future expansions. Free spans of 2.5m, 4.5m with 4.5m ceilings provide a flexible, resilient structure for evolving family needs, supporting storage, mansards, or additional modules over time.

Roof Geometry and Vernacular Identity

The gable roof with varied ridge heights incorporates skylights for natural illumination and rainwater collection. Its orientation allows solar panel installation while ensuring thermally balanced interiors. Extended eaves reflect the vernacular mountain architecture, regulating facade thermodynamics and creating multifunctional semi-outdoor spaces, from flower gardens to shaded patios.

Transparent Bridges and Floating Spaces

Cantilevered balconies and metal grid platforms enhance indoor-outdoor connectivity, framing panoramic views across 180 degrees. Transparent bridges serve both as thermal regulators and visual extensions, connecting the three modules while integrating the interior with the surrounding forest. A small greenhouse acts as a laboratory and welcoming focal point, promoting sustainable landscaping and family engagement with the natural environment.

Time, Transformation, and Progressive Design

Designed by a family of industrial designers, the Mountain House emphasizes adaptability, allowing spatial transformations over time. Progressive architecture here prioritizes inhabitant experience over static aesthetics, enabling the home to evolve organically with the family’s creative lifestyle. The Mountain House is thus both a domestic refuge and an ecological statement, embodying harmony with the Colombian Andes' western mountains.

All photographs are works of  Yeferson Bernal Santacruz