Six houses in a quarry
The six residences that make up this ensemble are located within an old, obsolete limestone quarry in La Calera, a small mountainous city that is part of the metropolitan area of Córdoba, Argentina. This area is characterized by low-density development—essentially one dwelling per lot—that spreads generically across the slopes of the mountain range.
With the aim of establishing a dialogue at the landscape scale and moderating the construction’s impact, the project strategy respects the existing topography by minimizing the building footprint and avoiding vertical growth. The complex is organized into three parallel stepped volumes along the slope, with paired units that overlap in section or plan. This arrangement allows each typology to open towards its own natural ground courtyard. Composed of a single material, these three abstract brick volumes blend with the color of the surrounding rock, minimizing contrast with the site.
The interior is designed to create continuity with the exterior in every space of the dwelling. The functional layout is organized around service cores that articulate the social and private areas of each unit.
The construction and technological logic is based on a structural module of 3m x 5m, covered by a solid concrete slab. On one side, the slab rests on a continuous opaque brick wall, while on the other, it is supported by a system of steel beams and columns along the facades, where the units open fully to establish a strong connection with the outdoors.
In summary, the project is the result of a thoughtful articulation between the context in which it is located, the interpretation of the collective and residential program, and the efficient use of technical and technological resources for its materialization.
