In Argentina, a Brick Home’s New Second Story Feels Weightless

Buenos Aires firm Estudio PKa covered the addition’s street-facing facade in white folding screens that don’t impose on the residence or the neighborhood.

Aug 25, 2022 - 22:51

In Argentina, a Brick Home’s New Second Story Feels Weightless

Buenos Aires firm Estudio PKa covered the addition’s street-facing facade in white folding screens that don’t impose on the residence or the neighborhood.

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Project Details:

Location: San Fernando, Argentina

Architect: Estudio PKa / @estudiopka

From the Architect: "Casa Hormiga is a single-family house located in San Fernando, Zona Norte. The main focus of the renovation was to preserve the imprint of the existing house and to use a light structure that creates a nexus between the original structure and the new elements.

"The brick façade was left uncovered so that the original construction could be seen. Above it, the upper floor is laid with white sheet metal cladding.

"Toward the front, the connection between old and new can be seen: the structure of sliding folding sheet metal shutters that gives dynamism to the facade. Based on the possibilities and opportunities offered by the old building, the secondary partitions were eliminated in order to make the floor plan dynamic, obtain more generous spaces, and bring more light into the interior of the house.

"From this subtraction, we generated a courtyard that provides light and a new landscape. The perforation gives it visual permeability. New elements were only added when necessary in terms of comfort and functionality."