Set within a leafy neighborhood in City Bell, Argentina, this modern family home designed by V2 Arquitectos, is shaped by concrete, wood and glass, and carefully positioned among existing trees to create a calm, flexible place to live that opens easily to the outdoors.
Living Among the Trees
The home sits on a large 900 square metre plot surrounded by an ash forest, and preserving that landscape became a key part of the design. Rather than clearing the site, the architects worked around the trees, allowing greenery to frame views and shape how the house expands outward.
A Floating Concrete Form
The structure is defined by a bold concrete prism that appears to hover above the ground. Measuring 13 by 13 metres, this elevated volume contains the private areas of the home and gives the building its strong, sculptural presence. The supporting structure is set back and visually hidden, reinforcing the sensation that the upper level is suspended in the air.
Inside this concrete volume, flexibility was essential. Mobile and adaptable panels divide the spaces, doubling as storage modules and allowing rooms to change over time. This approach creates a floor plan that can shift with the needs of family life, rather than remaining fixed.
A Charred Wood Facade With Purpose
One of the most striking features of the house is its use of blackened wood on the exterior. The boards originally used for the concrete formwork were reused and treated with the Japanese technique of Shou Sugi Ban. This carbonized finish was applied to the south-facing facade, helping protect the home from harsher weather while giving the exterior a bold, textured appearance.
A large timber front door sits beside this darkened wood surface, creating a strong yet welcoming entrance that immediately sets the tone for what lies inside.
Social Spaces That Open Fully
The ground floor is dedicated entirely to social life and unfolds as a single open interior space. At one end, the kitchen is anchored by a large white island paired with minimalist white cabinetry. Simple turned wood pendant lights hang above the island, adding warmth and softness to the clean lines. The dining table sits naturally between the kitchen and living area, encouraging easy movement and connection.
Large sliding glass walls define the living room and allow the space to open completely to the outside. When open, the boundary between inside and out disappears, effectively doubling the usable living area of the house.
Indoor Outdoor Living in Every Direction
At the front of the home, dense planting provides privacy from the street while still allowing light to filter through. At the rear, the concrete ceiling and wood-lined wall continue outward, extending over an outdoor living room and alfresco dining space. This architectural continuation provides shade and protection while maintaining a seamless visual link between interior and exterior.
The concrete slab projects beyond the interior walls to form covered galleries that act as sun protection, reinforcing the fluid relationship between the home and its surroundings.
A Calm and Minimal Upper Level
Upstairs, the material palette becomes quieter but no less intentional. Raw concrete surfaces contrast with crisp white walls and built-in cabinetry lining the hallway. Underfoot, wood flooring introduces warmth and balance, softening the harder materials and creating a more intimate atmosphere within the private spaces. The restrained use of materials allows texture and light to take center stage, reinforcing the calm tone of the upper floor.
Bathrooms Designed With Light in Mind
The bathroom continues the same neutral palette found upstairs, replacing exposed concrete with grey tiles that maintain a similar visual weight. Subtle lighting has been installed where the walls meet the floor, creating a soft glow that draws attention to the architecture itself and adds a distinctive design detail without overwhelming the space.
By combining raw concrete, charred wood and carefully planned landscaping, V2 Arquitectos have created a family home that’s designed to adapt, expand and open fully to its environment.