House H7 / Taranti Arq Studio

Architects: Taranti Arq Studio
Area: 175 m²
Year: 2024
Photography: Fernando Schapochnik
Lead Architects: Lautaro Taranti, Danilo Taranti
City: Buenos Aires
Country: Argentina

House H7 is located within the forested dunes of Argentina’s Atlantic coast, a seasonal residence designed by Taranti Arq Studio as a response to the unique environmental conditions of its site. Situated on a plot defined by a natural depression between dunes, the project addresses challenges associated with flooding while embracing opportunities for enhanced views and stronger engagement with the surrounding landscape. The design is organized around a clear structural concept that combines an exposed concrete base with lighter steel and timber elements, establishing a direct relationship between construction, materiality, and architectural expression. A central core containing the entrance and kitchen structures the internal layout, creating an efficient division between public and private spaces. By elevating the primary living areas above the terrain, the house preserves the natural movement of sand across the site and minimizes disruption to the dune ecosystem. The project reflects a broader commitment to contextual design, balancing contemporary residential needs with the environmental dynamics of the coastal landscape.

House H7 is nestled among the wooded dunes of La Costa and explores a restrained architectural approach rooted in the specific characteristics of its setting. The project is informed by the desire to establish a meaningful relationship with the landscape, allowing the site’s natural conditions to guide the design rather than treating them as obstacles to overcome. This sensitivity to place becomes a defining aspect of the residence, shaping both its form and its spatial organization.

A key factor in the development of the project was the property’s location within a natural hollow created by the surrounding dunes. Rather than altering this condition, the architects used it as the foundation for the design strategy. Elevating the dwelling above the ground reduces exposure to seasonal flooding while opening broader views toward the forest environment. This approach also enables the continued movement of sand beneath the structure, preserving the dynamic processes that characterize the coastal terrain.

The architectural composition is articulated through the relationship between a solid base and a lightweight upper structure. Exposed concrete establishes a strong connection to the ground, providing durability and permanence, while steel and timber components introduce a lighter and more adaptable character. The contrast between these materials reinforces the project’s commitment to structural clarity, where construction methods and architectural language are closely aligned.

Internally, the house is organized around a central nucleus formed by the entrance and kitchen. This arrangement functions as the operational heart of the residence, facilitating circulation while clearly separating communal and private areas. The layout promotes efficiency and coherence, ensuring that the most frequently used spaces serve as the principal organizing elements of the floor plan.

Beyond its functional and material considerations, House H7 presents a broader reflection on inhabiting fragile landscapes. By minimizing intervention and responding directly to existing environmental conditions, the project demonstrates an understanding of architecture as a collaborative act with nature rather than an imposition upon it. The result is a residence that integrates seamlessly with its surroundings while expressing a clear and contemporary architectural identity.