Po-Yo House by MMCV: A Contemporary Concrete Home Reimagined in Buenos Aires

Reinventing an Existing Home with Bold Materiality and Spatial Clarity

Po-Yo House by MMCV is a transformative residential renovation located in Villa Devoto, Buenos Aires. Conceived as a contemporary reinterpretation of an existing home, the project blends raw concrete expression, sculptural architectural gestures, and thoughtful spatial sequencing to create a refined, modern urban residence. With a total area of 250 m², the home embraces light, height, and fluid circulation, turning a once-traditional structure into a serene modern sanctuary.

This architectural renovation prioritizes exposed concrete, visual continuity, and indoor-outdoor integration, redefining domestic life through minimalism and spatial depth. MMCV preserves the memory of the original house while giving it a bold new identity rooted in material honesty and geometric clarity.

Context and Design Approach: Respecting Heritage While Looking Forward

A Dual Vision of Preservation and Innovation

The project began with a clear mission — to reclaim the spatial virtues of the original home while amplifying its experiential qualities. Rather than demolish the structure, MMCV strategically removed interior partitions, exposing the existing concrete bones and enhancing natural light and circulation.

The external envelope is redefined as a monolithic concrete box, imbuing the house with strength, permanence, and a sculptural presence within its urban context. The form acts as both memory and monument, grounding the renovation in the language of timeless modernism.

Spatial Experience: Layered Circulation and Elevated Light

A Threshold Between City and Home

Visitors enter through a striking 3.5-meter-high folded steel gate, stepping into a small forecourt that operates as a transitional buffer between street and interior. This patio extends the public realm inward, creating a contemplative pause before entry.

A sequence of concrete volumes frames the journey, heightening awareness of spatial rhythm and grounding the home in a tactile architectural experience.

Interior Organization and Vertical Movement

The interior unfolds across split-level platforms, emphasizing movement, perspective, and spatial depth.

• The main living room anchors the entry level • A few steps below, the kitchen and dining area open to a lush garden and pool • A sculptural staircase leads upward to the master suite and two bedrooms • A second stair descends to a basement playroom and laundry area

These staggered levels maintain visual connectivity, reinforcing a dynamic interplay of light, shadow, and volume.

Material Palette: Serene, Timeless, and Sensory

Concrete Warmed by Wood and Refined Finishes

The home balances robust structure with tactile materials:

• Exposed concrete establishes permanence and structure • Stone-like flooring enhances textural depth • Anodized aluminum frames add precision and shadow • Custom wood furniture brings warmth and quiet elegance

Metal-framed openings filter light and cast rhythmic shadows across the façade, while the staircase — piercing the sloped ceiling — becomes an architectural centerpiece, sculpting light and lines across the interior.

A Home Rooted in Memory and Modernity

Po-Yo House stands as more than a renovation — it is a respectful reimagining of architecture through spatial clarity, material honesty, and urban refinement. MMCV demonstrates how adaptive reuse can preserve identity while crafting a new narrative of contemporary living.

This project embodies the evolving spirit of Buenos Aires residential architecture, highlighting the power of concrete minimalism, adaptive reuse, and crafted detail in shaping modern domestic environments.

Po-Yo House by MMCV in Buenos Aires transforms an existing home into a sculptural concrete residence featuring split-level design, indoor-outdoor living, and timeless materiality. A masterful example of contemporary renovation and adaptive reuse in Argentina.

All photographs are  works of Juan Muller