White Houses Chapadmalal by BiK Arquitectura in Argentina

Project: White Houses Chapadmalal
Architects: BiK Arquitectura
Location: Argentina
Area: 1,420 sqm
Year: 2019
Photography: Adrian Rios

White Houses Chapadmalal by BiK Arquitectura

The White Houses Chapadmalal by BiK Arquitectura consist of two cottages in Argentina designed for temporary rental. Located close to the South Atlantic Ocean, the cottages make use of natural lighting and a connection between interior and exterior spaces. The design includes contrasting horizontal volumes and a vertical element serving as an orientation marker. Built with simplicity and low maintenance costs in mind, the cottages use concrete blocks for construction and insulation to improve thermal efficiency. Each cottage includes two bedrooms, a bathroom, a living room with an open kitchen and a terrace with barbecue, providing efficient layout maximizing views and solar exposure.

These two temporary rental cottages are situated on flat terrain near the South Atlantic Ocean in Chapadmalal, Argentina. Their location takes into account solar exposure when the interior opens outward. Two small horizontal volumes contrast with a vertical element that serves as an orientation marker at a distance.

Inside the compact and well-defined perimeter, white, abstract, and stereotomic volumes contain both interior and exterior spaces of the cottages. Their boundaries are made from a single material regulating permeability and adapting to orientation and purpose.

The construction is simple, ascetic, and low maintenance. The use of concrete blocks as a material connects structure, envelope, and expression. Interiors are insulated to enhance thermal performance. Additionally, two solar water collectors are used for energy savings.

Each cottage features two bedrooms, one bathroom, a living room with an open kitchen and a terrace with barbecue. This layout efficiently organizes interior spaces, controlling their relationship with the outside. Bedrooms and bathroom are located on the cooler southern perimeter, while the living room and terrace play a leading role by opening to the garden, sunlight, and panoramic views.

-BiK Arquitectura