URBAN STYLE 2

Located in Villa Urquiza, Buenos Aires, ‘Urban Style 2’ is a four-story housing building that consists of six two-room apartments. The neighborhood, which still retains its residential character, with a low and medium density fabric, is in the process of transformation and growth, due to the development of the new ‘Donado-Holmberg’ linear park.

The design manages to ‘dematerialize’ the volume of the corner-building through a series of design operations that respond to the restrictions of the R2B1 zoning, usually attributed to this type of plots. The building reaches its maximum height by introducing a series of outdoor areas that do not compute for TOF (total occupancy factor) and provide natural lighting and pleasing views to the rooms. In this way, the entire buildable area is available for the resolution of the housing units.

In the first levels, ‘L- shaped’ housing typologies are introduced, which when combined, stacked and mirrored, they generate a series of exterior spaces that can be used by the apartments’ residents. On the upper levels, the dwelling units are designed as duplexes, connecting to each other through the double height of the space. In addition to this, a 2 meter wide open area spatially connects the terraces of the building.

Viewing the building from the outside, a ‘concrete box’ is elevated 4 meters above the pavement emphasizing the entrance.

Regarding the façade design, three essential materials are used: concrete, wood and glass. The concrete walls, that combine both rough and smooth textures, provide structure to construction, but also create an interesting aesthetic. A series of folding wooden panels are added, in order to filter natural lighting and provide privacy to the bedrooms.

The interior-exterior limits are fused, due to the large floor-to-ceiling sliding glass panels, which link the living room areas with the terraces. Placed right next to the treetops, these patios bring residents closer to nature. The interiors are designed as wide and neutral spaces, where natural light stands out through the use of white walls and kitchen cabinets, and the light wood floors, in contrast to the concrete ceilings and walls.

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