- Project: Manuela Pedraza House
- Architect: OADD Arquitectos
- Location: Argentina, Villa Urquiza, Buenos Aires
- Year: 2024
- Area: 320 m2
- Photography: Luis Barandiarán
The Manuela Pedraza House in Villa Urquiza, Buenos Aires, designed by OADD Arquitectos, redefines the concept of an urban dwelling. Completed in 2024, the 320 m² single-family residence combines functionality, serenity, and modern aesthetics. By strategically shaping the volume and leaving voids, the project creates a dialogue with its dense urban context while offering residents a private yet open living environment.
Urban Integration and Design Philosophy
Sitting on a compact corner plot, the house avoids exhausting its full buildable volume. Instead, OADD Arquitectos opted for a design that maximizes surrounding voids and enhances the urban landscape. The façade, clad in brick, concrete, and micro-perforated aluminum, presents a minimalist and robust image. Carefully placed openings create a play of solids and voids, balancing privacy with transparency.
This deliberate simplicity results in a structure that is both pure and forceful, achieving serenity through clear lines and honest materials. The house resonates with its environment, emphasizing proportion, light, and urban continuity.
Spatial Organization Around a Central Patio
At the heart of the residence lies a large central patio, which organizes circulation and connects all floors. This void allows natural light and cross-ventilation to permeate the interiors, establishing a healthy and luminous atmosphere. The staircase—crafted in wood and metal—overlooks this courtyard, becoming a sculptural focal point and a connector of spaces.
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Ground Floor: Designed for social life, the ground floor integrates a barbecue area, wine cellar, studio/workshop, and entrance hall, all opening onto the central patio. A micro-perforated aluminum façade ensures privacy from the street while filtering light.
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First Floor: The main living level houses the kitchen, dining, and living areas. Large openings extend toward terraces, reinforcing continuity between inside and outside.
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Second Floor: Dedicated to private spaces, it includes bedrooms and a small study, oriented toward both the patio and corner views.
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Top Floor: Hosts the service and recreational areas, including a green terrace and pool that act as leisure elements while contributing to passive cooling.
Materiality and Atmosphere
The material palette reflects OADD Arquitectos’ commitment to simplicity and strength. Brick, exposed concrete, wood, and aluminum converge in a coherent aesthetic. The stereotomic quality of the structure—solid walls punctuated by calculated perforations—creates a rhythm of solids and voids that enriches the experience of living.
Sustainability and Innovation
Sustainability was a guiding principle in the project. Local and recyclable materials reduce the carbon footprint, while rainwater harvesting and the green terrace improve thermal performance and air quality. The home demonstrates how contemporary residential architecture can combine elegance with environmental responsibility.
A House That Enhances the Neighborhood
Beyond meeting the needs of its inhabitants, Manuela Pedraza House enhances its surroundings. The controlled scale, openness, and thoughtful integration into Villa Urquiza’s urban fabric exemplify a responsible and forward-thinking approach to residential design. The project stands as both a serene family refuge and a contributor to the collective urban landscape.
