Project: Casa En Piedras
Architecture: Estudio Palacios
Architects: Mariana Palacios, Azul Sánchez
Location: Córdoba, Argentina
Year: 2023
Photo Credits: Gonzalo Viramonte
Casa En Piedras by Estudio Palacios nestles in the native forest of Córdoba, near the town of Taninga. Surrounded by quebrachos, carobs, chañars, wild apples, cactus, wildflowers, and thousands of other species, this home hides behind immense rocks and blends into the rugged landscape.
Embracing Nature and the Landscape
The design concept honors the natural terrain. Two horizontal volumes emerge from the mountainous rocks with a view toward the river. The house appears as if it is growing from the stone itself. It creates flexible living spaces for a multifamily arrangement—accommodating three siblings and their families—along with a separate, smaller unit for their mother. The project celebrates the beauty of nature in every room, scaling the living space to suit the vast surroundings.
Responsive to a Harsh Environment
The area is very cold, dry, and windy. It lies far from any town and has difficult access with limited local construction labor. The architects chose an industrialized construction system to overcome these challenges. They used lightweight materials that transport easily and can be installed under harsh conditions without water or electricity.
Materials Inspired by the Site
The design uses two key materials that echo the landscape. Corten steel cladding reflects the earthy tones of autumn vegetation. Black Portoro stone-plastic cladding mimics the texture and color of the surrounding rocks. Both materials resist the climate and age gracefully with minimal maintenance.
Functional Layout and Indoor-Outdoor Connection
The main house develops on one floor with two split levels. On the ground floor, the entrance area leads to the kitchen, dining room, and living room. A terrace with a grill provides an outdoor expansion area and a viewpoint. Half a level down, three en-suite bedrooms and a large bedroom with a bathroom offer comfortable private spaces. Half a level up, a barbecue area with a wine cellar and two terraces creates additional gathering spots and viewpoints.
The separate “mamahouse” functions as an independent unit. It features a combined living, dining, and kitchen area along with a bedroom and bathroom. Every room opens onto a terrace with a grill and a vast landscape view.
Common areas for both homes include a swimming pool, paddle court, and garage. The house opens to the north to capture the grandeur of the mountains and to maximize natural light and warmth.
Warm, Rustic Interiors
Inside, the design emphasizes spaciousness and versatility. The architects chose wood as the dominant material to evoke the charm of a country home. Monolithic stucco floors in taupe tones run throughout the house, adding a rustic feel. In the hallway that connects the bedrooms, the natural rocks appear to merge with the interior, reinforcing the strong connection between the inside and the outdoors.
Casa En Piedras scales the living space within the vastness of its setting and celebrates stunning natural views in every room. The project creates a unique, harmonious retreat that respects its environment while offering flexible, comfortable living for its inhabitants.
