OT House by DARP – De Arquitectura y Paisaje: A Contemporary Patio Home in the Colombian Forest

Nestled in the lush landscapes of El Retiro, Antioquia, the OT House by DARP – De Arquitectura y Paisaje is a refined architectural expression that harmonizes with its natural surroundings. Positioned on a plateau at the base of a sloping lot, the home embraces the serenity of its site, surrounded by native vegetation and a small forest that crowns the property.

Design Concept – Simplicity as a Structural Language

The OT House is conceived from a single extruded section that forms the foundation for its entire spatial and relational program. From this simple yet intelligent idea, the architects designed a home that addresses all functional requirements while maintaining a seamless connection to the landscape.

The home is organized into three elongated pavilions aligned with the natural topography. Each pavilion serves a distinct purpose:

• Social & Service Pavilion – Spaces for gatherings, cooking, and hosting.
• Central Pavilion – An airy, glass-enclosed volume housing the vestibule, interior patio, and study, acting as the connective heart of the home.
• Private Pavilion – Bedrooms and intimate living spaces oriented toward the forest for privacy and tranquility.

Inspired by Traditional Antioquian Patio Houses

The architectural concept reinterprets the patio house typology from the Antioquian colonization era. At the center of the home lies a garden courtyard filled with aquatic plants and native greenery. This inner garden acts as the heart of the residence, improving natural light, ventilation, and visual continuity across spaces.

The transparent walls of the central pavilion dissolve boundaries, creating fluid transitions between indoors and outdoors. The design allows uninterrupted landscape views, making the forest feel like an integral part of the home.

Spatial Flow and Topography Connection

Visitors enter through the central pavilion, then gently descend parallel to the slope, arriving at the social and service spaces. Floor-to-ceiling glass opens completely to a covered terrace and garden, blending the living areas with nature.

The private wing is positioned away from the property’s perimeter road, ensuring peace and quiet. Bedrooms extend toward the exterior via a continuous vegetated terrace, creating three distinct outdoor living zones.

Climate-Responsive Architecture

The long facades are oriented north-south to maximize natural light, while shorter facades face east-west to manage solar exposure. Covered terraces on the western side act as both shaded outdoor living spaces and solar protectiondevices, ensuring thermal comfort while framing the property’s most beautiful landscape views.

Materiality and Modularity

A hallmark of OT House is its meticulous attention to material economy and structural rhythm. Using brick modules(10x15x30 cm) as the basis, the architects established a consistent 1.8m × 6m spatial grid. This modular approach minimized waste, optimized resources, and ensured construction precision.

The material palette is restrained yet rich in texture:

• Exposed Brick – For warmth, texture, and longevity.
• Wood – Bringing a natural, tactile quality to interiors.
• Glass – Maximizing transparency and light.
• Metal – Providing structural strength and contrast.

Light, Shadow, and Atmosphere

The masonry walls are thoughtfully designed with recesses and protrusions, casting dynamic shadows throughout the day. Brick latticework acts as a filter for light and landscape views, adding layers of privacy while enhancing the sensory experience of each space.

All the photographs are works of Mauricio Carvajal