PAU House in Guillermo Hudson: A Contemporary Courtyard Residence by Besonías Almeida Arquitectos

PAU House, designed by Besonías Almeida Arquitectos, is a refined example of contemporary residential architecture in Guillermo Hudson, Argentina. Completed in 2022, this 223 m² single-story home redefines suburban living through a courtyard-based spatial strategy, climate-responsive design, and a strong relationship between interior and exterior environments.

Context and Site Strategy in a Developing Urban Landscape

Located approximately 35 km from Buenos Aires, PAU House sits within a newly developed residential neighborhood built on former rural land. The site presents unique challenges, including minimal surrounding construction, sparse vegetation, and a lack of established urban context. Unlike consolidated neighborhoods, this condition required the architects to design a house that defines its own spatial logic while anticipating future growth around it.

The irregular, fan-shaped plot, with a narrow frontage and a wider rear opening, played a critical role in shaping the architectural response. Instead of imposing a conventional layout, the design embraces the geometry of the site, resulting in a dynamic and context-driven residential solution.

Courtyard House Typology and Spatial Organization

The architects adopted a courtyard house typology, allowing the home to revolve around a central patio that becomes the heart of daily life. This internal garden introduces natural light, ventilation, and greenery into every room, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor connection.

The layout is carefully organized along a diagonal axis that cuts across the courtyard and extends toward the swimming pool. This gesture divides the house into two distinct zones: The left side accommodates social and service areas, including a spacious living room, dining area, integrated kitchen, and laundry space. The right side houses private functions, such as the master bedroom suite and two bedrooms for the children, ensuring privacy and comfort.

This zoning strategy enhances functionality while maintaining visual continuity across spaces.

Architectural Elements and Material Expression

PAU House employs a restrained yet expressive material palette, combining exposed concrete, glass, and natural wood. Vertical concrete partitions along the side facades provide privacy from neighboring plots while contributing to the building’s sculptural identity.

Adjustable wooden screens made from quebracho wood are strategically placed to filter sunlight, regulate views, and create dynamic lighting conditions throughout the day. These elements not only improve environmental performance but also enrich the sensory experience of the interiors.

Large overhangs and eaves protect the expansive glazed openings at the rear, reducing solar gain while framing views toward the landscape.

Natural Light as a Design Material

A defining feature of PAU House is its sophisticated approach to natural light. Rather than treating windows as standard openings, the architects conceive them as deliberate spatial interventions. Carefully positioned perforations in walls allow light to enter in controlled ways: reflecting, diffusing, and animating surfaces.

This strategy creates a series of changing atmospheres across the house, where light becomes an active architectural element. The interplay of shadows, reflections, and filtered views enhances the perception of space and connects the interior to its natural surroundings.

Program and Lifestyle Integration

Designed for a family of four, the house responds directly to the client’s needs for comfort, openness, and functionality. All spaces are arranged on a single level to ensure accessibility and a continuous relationship with the outdoors.

The program includes a master suite with a dressing room and private bathroom, two children’s bedrooms with a shared bath, and a generous social area connected to a covered gallery with a barbecue space. The inclusion of a large garage accommodating multiple vehicles and bicycles further reflects contemporary lifestyle requirements.

A Self-Defined Architectural Identity

PAU House stands as a self-referential architectural object within an evolving suburban fabric. By leveraging site geometry, integrating a courtyard typology, and prioritizing environmental responsiveness, the project establishes its own identity while setting a precedent for future developments in similar contexts.

It demonstrates how thoughtful residential design can transform limitations into opportunities, creating a harmonious balance between privacy, openness, and spatial richness.

All photographs are works of  Federico Kulekdjian