House on the Mountain / Alric Galindez Arquitectos

Architects: Alric Galindez Arquitectos / Santiago Alric, Carlos Galindez, Federico Lloveras
Location: Bariloche, Argentina
Collaborators: Alfredo Quiroga, Sofía Peluffo, Joaquín Adot
Interiors: Patricia Gurfinkel, Sofía Mendoza
Structural Engineer: Jorge Zapata
Contractor: Arrieta & Arrieta construcciones
Interior Area: 591 sqm
Exterior Area: 70 sqm
Project year: 2008
Photographs: Courtesy Alric Galindez

The house is a result of several stone boxes piled up on the side of a sloping area. Each one of these cases points and frames an outstanding view, where we can find Catedral, Otto, and Ventana mountains, as main characters of the landscape seen from inside.

The space is organized so that it can be divided in different zones, depending on the number of persons that are actually using the place. During most of the year, the house can be used by areas, smaller homes inside the big house for single couple trips or for groups of friends in leisure plans, or even both of them happening at the same time. These variety of layouts transform the inside life of the house, growing, changing, adapting, evolving.

We used local stones to keep a coherent language with the harsh and wonderful surrounding, trying to create the idea that the house was always there, just as another rock or an unnoticed natural feature. Snow seasons reinforce the idea. A white vast dominating view, only a few mountain peaks appear in dark contrast, and the house always there.

The social area is placed on the access level, dominating the best views captured by white calm boxes from inside, opposing to the overwhelming exterior. The master bedroom, and the guests room share this level too, each facing a different mountain, in this surprising kaleidoscope of sights.

On the ground floor level, the rooms for the kids, shaped by the land slope, creating different situations and volumes, and a two level loft, due to a sudden depression on the terrain becomes the boys master space.

As an extension of the deck, a sinuous wooden stair guides us to the last box, resting a few steps below. A sightseeing Jacuzzi offers the best sunset views of lake Gutierrez, and below the wooden deck, a warm gym and a sauna complete this relax an inspiring lookout, in an ideal mood, slightly above the Patagonian valley.