Argentinean architecture practice Nicolás Campodonico has completed a single-family house in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina – by using floating beams and volumes to explore different spatial configurations both inside and outside. 

Called M&P House, the house is located in a closed neighbourhood near the city of Rosario. The existing constructions constitute a rather heterogeneous set of houses, predominated by pure masonry volumes, finished with light-toned materials. 

"The project aims to be "another one" of the houses in the neighbourhood, taking these characteristics from the preexisting buildings as its initial design parameters," said the studio in its project description. 

The entire program, covering a total of 326-square-metre area, elements are scattered on a linear layout and the main living spaces are designed on the main volume – south of the building. 

The striking feature of the house starts with the entrance that takes the owners or visitors under floating volumes and gives a sense of play and intrigued experience. The entrance space is also organized for a private parking garage. 

The project is organized as a spatial sequence that begins on the public street and culminates in a private garden, contained between the main volume of the house and a recreational pavilion located at the far end of the lot. 

The entrance route that begins on the street passes under a beam that runs along the entire front of the construction, at a height of 2.05 m, clearly marking the beginning of the private sphere.

On the interior, the spaces are articulated and linked through a staircase that rises in four sections ending with a skylight that illuminates throughout the year with light from the north and guides towards the centre of the house.

Furthermore, both the living spaces, as well as the kitchen and dining room are linked to the garden through a large east-facing gallery. The sequence culminates in the garden contained between the house and the multi-purpose pavilion. 

The green space houses a pool and is north-oriented. The house, another one, in terms of appearance, provides spatial conditions, uses and privacy that enrich the everyday life of its inhabitants.

The space contained by this structural element constitutes of a large atrium, partly covered for parking and partly open under the sky in front of the main entrance. The sequence continues with a small space where the main door of solid wood covers the entire opening and characterizes the entrance. 

Site plan

Ground floor plan

1st floor plan

Roof floor plan

Longitudinal section-1

Longitudinal section-2

Longitudinal section-3

Cross section-1 

Cross section-2

North elevation

South elevation

West elevation

Project facts

Project name: M&P House

Project team: Mariana Peirano, Soledad Cugno, Maximiliano Animas, Camila Boffo, Santiago Landucci, Construction company, MECSA, Marcelo Sobrero

Landscape design: Borgatello Wild 

All images courtesy of Nicolás Campodonico

> via Nicolás Campodonico