Ocarina House by LCLA Office — Compact Brick Housing and Artist Gallery in Colombian Highlands

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Sustainable modern brick house with metal roof located in green terrain among trees and grass

Ocarina House by LCLA Office

At an elevation of 2100 meters above sea level, the Ocarina House by LCLA Office stands out as a compact home that serves simultaneously as a residence and artist gallery. The total area is only 40 square meters, yet the house unites living spaces, work zones, and exhibition areas in a unified design that reinterprets minimalist living in a Colombian village.

Design Concept

The house was commissioned by an artist who wanted to live near his studio, integrating his creative process directly into the architecture. Every corner of the house is designed to support both daily life and exhibition possibilities — even the open shower functions as a gallery wall for large ceramic pieces.

The house name, Ocarina, alludes to its sculptural qualities and role as a vessel — much like pots, it contains and frames the human experience.

Location and Construction

The house is situated on a slope of the plot in a region famous for ceramics and clay work. To respect the soil and minimize intervention during construction, the structure is partially embedded into the clay terrain, eliminating the need for deep concrete foundations. This approach enhances stability in seismically active zones and harmonizes with nature.

The long load-bearing wall not only strengthens the house but also channels rainwater into the surrounding moist garden, showcasing a resource-saving integration of architecture and landscape.

Layout and Spatial Perception

Inside, the house is multi-functional and fluid. Spaces flow into one another without rigid divisions between life, work, and exhibitions. The design emphasizes openness and adaptability, allowing the house to evolve depending on daily needs or artistic use.

The compact layout is compensated by carefully planned openings, terraces, and views to the garden, providing an abundance of natural light and a sense of spaciousness.

Materials and Atmosphere

Brick is the primary material chosen for its local availability, tactile quality, and structural efficiency. Its earthy tones root the house into the landscape, while its mass ensures thermal comfort in cold highland climates.

The minimalist interior is framed by natural light and views through young trees planted before construction. These trees now align with the roof edge, gradually weaving the house into the surrounding greenery.

A Living Gallery in the Landscape

The Ocarina House is more than just housing; it's a hybrid of architecture and art, where everyday life and creative expression coexist. Embracing local clay, rainwater systems, and the environment, LCLA Office created a project that is both grounded in reality and visionary for the future.

In its modest scale, the Ocarina House demonstrates how architecture can turn limitations into opportunities, creating a home that celebrates traditions, landscape, and contemporary creativity.