Project: The Leaf on the Hill
Architecture: Alsar Atelier
Location: Barichara, Santander, Colombia
Year: 2024
Photo Credits: Mateo Perez, Alsar Atelier
“The houses of the city, with their clay tile roofs… seemed suspended in time, resisting the invasion of modernity.”
— Gabriel García Márquez, Love in the Time of Cholera
Context and Challenge
In present-day Colombia, the iconic Colombo‑colonial architectural style continues to captivate with its timeless charm. Barichara and its surroundings embody a construction heritage that appears “suspended in time,” yet its traditional aesthetics often limit contemporary spatial experimentation, especially in extreme topographies. The project site, perched on a significant slope on the northern side of the Barichara–Villanueva road, posed a unique challenge: how can a contemporary design convey timelessness while adapting gracefully to the landscape?
Reinterpreting a Timeless Aesthetic
Alsar Atelier extracted the most iconic element of the Colombo‑colonial style—the sloped clay tile roof—and reimagined it as an autumn leaf gently falling from a tree. By proposing a double‑sloped roof with a diagonal arrangement of recycled clay tiles, the design facilitates efficient water runoff and creates a dynamic visual that resonates with the local aesthetic. This innovative reinterpretation achieves the same “suspension in time” referenced by García Márquez while updating it for modern sensibilities.
Contemporary Composition and Structural Expression
The design further employs robust, stone‑like white walls as secondary elements of the Colombo‑colonial aesthetic. These walls serve as structural cores that not only support the reinterpreted roof but also organize the living spaces through a playful interplay of solids and voids. A stone base anchors the structure to the sloping terrain, enabling a fluid spatial distribution that follows Adolf Loos’ raumplan logic—organizing spaces through level changes rather than rigid walls. This approach creates an open yet differentiated relationship between the kitchen, living room, and terrace, allowing for a seamless connection between the interior and the surrounding landscape.
Sustainable and Localized Construction
A key aspect of the project is its commitment to sustainability and local craftsmanship. By utilizing local technology, industry, and artisans, the design minimizes material transportation, reducing rural housing emissions by up to 60%. This sustainable strategy not only honors traditional techniques but also integrates them with innovative design strategies to ensure the building respects both its historical and natural context.
A Manifesto of Evolving Identity
Ultimately, La Hoja Sobre el Cerro (The Leaf on the Hill) is more than just a building—it is a manifesto of how architecture can evolve without sacrificing its identity. By blending the rich legacy of Colombo‑colonial design with contemporary and sustainable approaches, Alsar Atelier has created a residence that harmoniously integrates into its landscape. This proposal stands as a delicate balance between past and present, celebrating memory and heritage while boldly stepping into the future.
