{"id":322257,"date":"2025-08-06T10:29:17","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T10:29:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/322257\/"},"modified":"2025-08-06T10:29:17","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T10:29:17","slug":"of-studio-embeds-concrete-home-into-argentinas-mendoza-landscape","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/322257\/","title":{"rendered":"of. studio embeds concrete home into argentina’s mendoza landscape"},"content":{"rendered":"

of.brutal honesty: a monolithic home in argentina<\/p>\n

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London-based OF. Studio completes a residential<\/strong><\/a> project, titled Of.Brutal Honesty, in Mendoza, Argentina<\/strong><\/a>. Located within the mountainous area of Pedemonte, the house occupies a sloping site where the south-facing views toward the canyon compete with the northern orientation preferred for sunlight in the Southern Hemisphere. The design team shapes the dwelling as a concrete<\/strong><\/a> monolith which emerges from the rocky outcropping like an extension of the landscape.<\/p>\n

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images \u00a9 OF. Studio<\/p>\n

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the house Embedded in the Hill<\/p>\n

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The architects<\/strong><\/a> at OF. Studio embeds its Brutal Honesty residence into the natural slope. The structure is strategically oriented to capture the sunlight while facing toward the most compelling views in the opposite direction. The architecture unfolds across three perceptual strata: the lower level is set into the ground, the main level sits within the terrain, and the upper level opens to the sky. Native vegetation was left intact, and no trees were removed in the construction process \u2014 a decision that reinforces the house\u2019s physical and visual integration with the land.<\/p>\n

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Each level responds to different modes of inhabitation. The basement establishes a grounded, introverted zone. The main level, anchored by the kitchen and surrounded by communal spaces, opens laterally to the landscape. Three staircases mediate between levels, producing varied sequences of movement and access. At the top, the roof is used not just for energy collection but as an occupiable plateau, with a fireplace, jacuzzi, garden beds, and a designated area for yoga.<\/p>\n

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the London-based studio builds the monolithic house in Mendoza, Argentina<\/p>\n

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spaces unfold with stepping terraces<\/p>\n

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Of.Brutal Honesty extends outward through a series of terraces that adapt to the social and topographical context. The main terrace continues the living and dining rooms outdoors, while an adjacent BBQ area is set up to accommodate larger gatherings. A smaller terrace linked to the playroom supports children\u2019s activities with a degree of autonomy. Above, the rooftop offers long views over the canyon, supporting both recreation and retreat.<\/p>\n

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To the south, the house presents a mass of earth-toned concrete that shields against harsh exposure while anchoring the form to the hillside. This protective and open gesture articulates what the architects call \u2018Of. Abstract Nature,\u2019 which is a design language where geometry and material expression coexist with the contours of the land.<\/p>\n

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Of.Brutal Honesty is embedded into the slope and built without removing a single tree<\/p>\n

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exposed concrete architecture by of.studio<\/p>\n

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OF. Studio worked closely with local builders to fine-tune the concrete mix, calibrating color and texture through on-site mockups. The result is a material palette that echoes the surrounding geology without mimicry. Exposed concrete provides thermal mass and durability, but also speaks to a regional building tradition that prioritizes permanence and resourcefulness.<\/p>\n

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Sustainability is treated as integral rather than supplementary. Passive strategies such as natural ventilation, thermal insulation, and calibrated shading reduce operational energy needs. Active systems \u2014 including solar panels, solar water heaters, and a greywater recycling unit \u2014 support the home\u2019s long-term performance and resilience.<\/p>\n

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The clients\u2019 brief emphasized a desire for both connection and solitude, for openness to the landscape and the possibility of retreat. This balance is achieved through careful sectional planning and spatial layering, allowing moments of overlap and withdrawal without resorting to visual barriers.<\/p>\n

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OF. Studio organizes the home across three levels<\/p>\n

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four terraces extend the house outward offering areas for gathering play and retreat<\/p>\n