Architect Florencia Cheli has completed House F, a remarkable 250-square-meter residential project in Zárate, Argentina, that demonstrates an innovative approach to designing one's own home. Completed in 2024, this architectural achievement represents the unique challenge faced by architects when creating their personal living spaces, with the natural forest environment serving as the primary source of inspiration.
The project, developed by Cheli-de Felipe Arquitectos with lead architects Florencia Cheli and Santiago de Felipe, showcases how topographical challenges can become architectural opportunities. The sloped site features a notable elevation difference between the ends of the lot, which naturally suggested elevating the main floor above ground level. This strategic design decision allows the lower space to function as parking and service areas while creating a striking visual impact.
Cheli emphasized the importance of maintaining a connection with the surrounding forest environment throughout the design process. The layout reflects this philosophy through its simple yet effective organization: one wing dedicated to social areas and another perpendicular wing containing bedrooms and a study. This arrangement maximizes the home's integration with its natural surroundings while maintaining functional efficiency.
The construction approach employs two concrete slabs – one for the floor and another for the roof – which reinforce the concept of horizontality that defines the project's aesthetic. The extensive use of glass enclosures facilitates complete visual integration with the forest, creating seamless transitions between interior and exterior spaces. Areas requiring greater privacy or facing less favorable orientations are enclosed with masonry clad in natural wood, providing both functionality and visual warmth.
The foundation level, positioned below ground level, features natural stone cladding that gives the entire structure greater solidity and presence. This material choice not only provides structural benefits but also creates a visual anchor that connects the elevated main floor to the earth. The project demonstrates how thoughtful material selection can enhance both the practical and aesthetic aspects of residential design.
Structural calculations were handled by Santiago De Felipe, while interior design was completed by Pilar Curzio, creating a collaborative approach that ensured both technical excellence and design cohesion. The photography by Andres Dominguez captures the successful integration of the home within its forest setting, highlighting how the architecture responds to and enhances the natural environment.
House F stands as an exemplary model of how contemporary residential architecture can work in harmony with natural landscapes, proving that thoughtful design can create homes that feel like natural extensions of their environments rather than impositions upon them.
