A Garden-Focused Home with Sliding Glass Walls

A modern home in Vicente López designed by Estudio de Ana Smud opens fully to its garden, with glass walls below and warm wood volumes above.

Designed by Estudio de Ana Smud and located in Vicente Lopez, Argentina, this home begins with a simple idea, bring the garden into every part of the experience. The structure takes shape as a compact volume, pulled away from its boundaries to allow light and greenery to surround it.

A Brick Wall That Hides and Reveals

From the street, the house feels solid and private. A brick wall forms a strong outer layer, shielding the interior from view. A single gate cuts through this surface, offering just a hint of what lies beyond. It creates a moment of contrast, moving from a closed exterior into a space that gradually opens up.

A simple brick wall with a discreet gate creates privacy from the street while setting up a striking transition into the home.
A simple brick wall with a discreet gate creates privacy from the street while setting up a striking transition into the home.

A Full-Height Wood Front Door

Beyond the gate, the entrance is marked by a tall wood front door. Its full-height design gives it presence without excess detail. The natural material introduces warmth immediately, softening the transition from the brick wall into the lighter interior spaces.

A full-height wood front door adds warmth and scale, creating a welcoming entry behind the brick facade.
A full-height wood front door adds warmth and scale, creating a welcoming entry behind the brick facade.
A full-height wood front door adds warmth and scale, creating a welcoming entry behind the brick facade.

Glass, Wood, and a Living Structure

The architecture unfolds through a mix of materials. The lower level is defined by sliding glass walls that open directly to the garden, while the upper half is wrapped in vertical wood cladding. A metal framework extends across the upper level, acting as a support for plant growth. Over time, this layer becomes part of the architecture itself, adding texture and shade.

Glass walls below and vertical wood above create a layered facade, with a metal frame designed to support climbing greenery.
Glass walls below and vertical wood above create a layered facade, with a metal frame designed to support climbing greenery.
Glass walls below and vertical wood above create a layered facade, with a metal frame designed to support climbing greenery.
Glass walls below and vertical wood above create a layered facade, with a metal frame designed to support climbing greenery.

Living and Dining That Spill Outdoors

Inside, the main living area is open and directly connected to the outdoors. Sliding glass doors dissolve the boundary between interior and garden, allowing the living room and dining space to extend onto a brick patio. An outdoor dining area continues the layout beyond the walls, making the entire ground level feel larger.

An open living and dining area flows straight into a brick patio, with sliding glass doors creating a seamless indoor-outdoor space.
An open living and dining area flows straight into a brick patio, with sliding glass doors creating a seamless indoor-outdoor space.
An open living and dining area flows straight into a brick patio, with sliding glass doors creating a seamless indoor-outdoor space.

A Kitchen That Extends Into the Room

The kitchen runs along one wall, with cabinetry and countertops stretching into the dining area. This linear design keeps the space clean and integrated, allowing it to function as part of the larger room instead of a completely separate zone.

A sleek kitchen lines the wall, with cabinetry and counters extending into the dining area for a clean, continuous look.

Concrete Stairs with a Sharp Edge

A set of concrete stairs anchors the interior, paired with a black metal handrail. The combination feels simple and direct, adding structure without interrupting the openness of the layout.

Concrete stairs with a black metal handrail add a bold, minimal element to the open interior.
Concrete stairs with a black metal handrail add a bold, minimal element to the open interior.

A Bookshelf and a Workspace

An open wood bookshelf doubles as a transition space and a functional feature. Alongside the windows, a floating wood desk forms a compact home office that feels connected to the rest of the house while still offering focus.

An open wood bookshelf and a built-in floating desk creates a simple, integrated home office.

A Cozy Media Room

The media room shifts in mood, offering a more enclosed and relaxed setting. Low, floating shelving lines the space, keeping the design minimal while enhancing the sense of comfort.

A cosy media room with low floating shelves creates a relaxed, intimate atmosphere within the home.

A Bedroom Surrounded by Glass

In the bedroom, floor-to-ceiling windows frame views of the surrounding greenery, while a sliding door provides access to the plants.

A bedroom lined with floor-to-ceiling windows brings in natural light while framing views of the surrounding trees.
A bedroom lined with floor-to-ceiling windows brings in natural light while framing views of the surrounding trees.
A bedroom lined with floor-to-ceiling windows brings in natural light while framing views of the surrounding trees.

As the house rises through its levels, the experience shifts from open transparency to more filtered and elevated views. At the top, the structure lightens again, with glass wrapping the perimeter and opening toward the sky and treetops. It’s a home that changes as you move through it, always keeping the garden within sight.


Photography by Estudio Palma | Design: Estudio de Ana Smud | Collaborator: Architect María Florencia Lin | Consultants: Rosa Oks (Landscape), Arturo Peruzzoti (Lighting) | Engineering: Ángel Santos (Structural Engineering), Antonio Cristiano (Sanitary Installations)