The Color in Structures and Enclosures: Applications in Contemporary Latin American Housing

Although the use of color can be employed to hide or disguise a specific characteristic, it can also be used to highlight them. Within the Latin American territory, we can observe that shades of red, green, and blue have predominated in residential architecture, aiming to integrate a language appropriate to the context in which it is implemented.

Applying color to structures and enclosures can enhance the aesthetics of their interior or exterior spaces. This application can be linked to technologies, construction methods, the surrounding landscape, and local materials, among other factors. By emphasizing specific structural elements, distinguishing spatial areas, or framing visuals and architectural features, the use of color offers a multitude of possibilities that encompass contrasting tones, complementary colors, as well as neutral or camouflaged shades in combination with other materials.

Below, we present a selection of residential projects in Latin America, including houses and apartments that use color both in their structures and in their interior and/or exterior carpentry, giving character to their spaces for various purposes.


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How to Use Color to Accentuate Architectural Designs

Structures

  • Argentina

Fonrouge Residence / Fabrizio Pugliese

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Fonrouge Residence / Fabrizio Pugliese. Image © Javier Agustin Rojas

  • Brazil

Ghibli House / Nuevo Arquitetura

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Ghibli House / Nuevo Arquitetura. Image © Haruo Mikami

Itatiba House / 24 7 Arquitetura

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Itatiba House / 24 7 Arquitetura. Image © Adriano Pacelli

Gama House / Studio ArquitetUras

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Gama House / Studio ArquitetUras. Image © Julia Novoa

Lapinha Studio / plano livre

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Lapinha Studio / plano livre. Image © Henrique Queiroga

ER House / Jobim Carlevaro Arquitetos

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ER House / Jobim Carlevaro Arquitetos. Image © Leonardo Finotti

  • Colombia

Elita House / Yemail Arquitectura

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Elita House / Yemail Arquitectura. Image © Yeferson Bernal

  • México

Cascada House / Ana Nuño de Buen + Luis Young

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Cascada House / Ana Nuño de Buen + Luis Young. Image © Luis Young

Enclosures

  • Argentina

H – House Saul / Parada Cantilo Estudio

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H – House Saul / Parada Cantilo Estudio. Image © Luis Barandiarán

MOO House / Agustín Aguirre + FRAM arquitectos

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MOO House / Agustín Aguirre + FRAM arquitectos. Image © Fernando Schapochnik

  • Brazil

House n.03 / Mana arquitetura

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House nº03 / Mana arquitetura. Image © Carolina Lacaz

Casa Xilo / Estúdio Minke

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Casa Xilo / Estúdio Minke. Image © Maíra Acayaba

Camburí House / Samir Riman - Arquitetura

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Camburí House / Samir Riman - Arquitetura. Image © Alexandre Jafo

  • Ecuador

Free House / Chip Studio

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Free House / Chip Studio. Image © Nicolás Provoste C.

  • México

San Ignacio House / Amarillo Amate Arquitectura

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San Ignacio House / Amarillo Amate Arquitectura. Image © Rafael Palacios Macías

Casa Georgina / Departamento del Distrito

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Casa Georgina / Departamento del Distrito. Image © Adriana Hamui

House in Xalapa / Lopez Gonzalez Studio

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House in Xalapa / Lopez Gonzalez Studio. Image © César Béjar Studio

Nakasone House / Escobedo Soliz

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Nakasone House / Escobedo Soliz. Image © Sandra Pereznieto

This article is part of the ArchDaily Topics: Color in Architecture presented by Sto.

Material, texture, sheen, and color are inseparable – the identity of a building becomes clear in an Architect’s choices of how these come together. Considering the lifecycle of a building from design, occupation, and legacy, we understand that achieving the right expression is tantamount to the success of a building. Sto’s innovative materials and data-driven color system complement design ambitions with technical knowledge and rigorous testing, to offer possibilities, accuracy, and longevity when Building in Color.

Produced by Sto, the short documentary ‘Building in Colour’ is a cinematic exploration into the role of materials and color in architecture, taking the work of Stirling Prize-winning architect Michael Wilford CBE (1938 – 2023) as its starting point.

Every month we explore a topic in-depth through articles, interviews, news, and architecture projects. We invite you to learn more about our ArchDaily Topics. And, as always, at ArchDaily we welcome the contributions of our readers; if you want to submit an article or project, contact us.

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Cite: Iñiguez, Agustina. "The Color in Structures and Enclosures: Applications in Contemporary Latin American Housing" [El color en las estructuras y los cerramientos: aplicaciones en la vivienda contemporánea latinoamericana] 05 Sep 2023. ArchDaily. (Trans. Piñeiro, Antonia ) Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1005618/the-color-in-structures-and-enclosures-applications-in-contemporary-latin-american-housing> ISSN 0719-8884

Itatiba House / 24 7 Arquitetura. Image © Adriano Pacelli

结构和围墙中的色彩,当代拉丁美洲住房应用实例

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