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Casa Closed in La Plata Argentina by Felipe Gonzalez Arzac

Board-marked concrete hides patio in Casa Closed by Felipe Gonzalez Arzac

A plant-filled courtyard and a long swimming pool feature behind the board-marked concrete walls of this residence in La Plata, Argentina, designed by local architect Felipe Gonzalez Arzac.

Felipe Gonzalez Arzac completed Casa Closed in a residential area of La Plata – the capital city of Buenos Aires Province – called City Bell.

Casa Closed in La Plata Argentina by Felipe Gonzalez Arzac

From the street, the residence has a severe exterior comprised of concrete walls textured by the imprints of wooden boards. This result is known as board-marked concrete.

Inside, the 190-square-metre home opens up around a central courtyard. Glazing wraps the yard offering views of the greenery and plenty of natural light.

"Its totally blind facade and its open sides give a particular visual impact, generating the sensation of being a completely dark house inside, without much connection with the outside," said Felipe Gonzalez Arzac in a project description.

"However, it is the opposite effect that is generated when entering the house, which is decomposed and perforated almost entirely with a large courtyard as a compositional center," the studio continued.

Casa Closed in La Plata Argentina by Felipe Gonzalez Arzac

"Both create a home that generates two very opposite situations, one from the outside and a very different inside," it added.

The central patio is joined by a smaller yard cut out of the front corner of the one-storey residence to form the main entrance. This leads into an L-shaped volume that wraps around central patio.

Casa Closed in La Plata Argentina by Felipe Gonzalez Arzac

An open-plan kitchen, living and dining room is placed to the rear of the house. Sliding glass doors also run along the rear wall of the property and open up to a long swimming pool in the back garden.

Casa Closed in La Plata Argentina by Felipe Gonzalez Arzac

Inside, the outer, board-marked concrete walls are left exposed, while partition walls are painted white. Concrete flooring completes the pared-back aesthetic.

A host of pale wooden furniture and greenery offers pops of interest to the simple aesthetic. In the kitchen and dining area this includes a white counter, stools for casual dining, and the main dining table and chairs.

Casa Closed in La Plata Argentina by Felipe Gonzalez Arzac

House plants fill a wooden bookshelf that separates these spaces from the living room. In here, the wood-framed large window to the garden is accompanied by translucent white curtains to offer shade in strong sunlight.

Other details include leather chairs and a pale, rough rug.

Casa Closed in La Plata Argentina by Felipe Gonzalez Arzac

The bedroom, bathroom, and a second lounge area are located towards the front of the house. These spaces are accessed via a few small steps from the kitchen.

The overall ceiling height is consistent throughout the low-level home, meaning that the bedrooms have slightly less clearance. According to the architect, this creates a more private feeling for these spaces.

Casa Closed in La Plata Argentina by Felipe Gonzalez Arzac

Felipe Gonzalez Arzac has completed another residential project in the City Bell neighbourhood. Called Casa Rex, this home features a board-formed concrete box on top.

Argentinian architect Luciano Kruk has also used the material in several residences in the country.

Photography is by Javier Augustin Rojas.

More images and plans

Casa Closed in La Plata Argentina by Felipe Gonzalez Arzac
Axonometric diagram
Casa Closed in La Plata Argentina by Felipe Gonzalez Arzac
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Casa Closed in La Plata Argentina by Felipe Gonzalez Arzac
Casa Closed in La Plata Argentina by Felipe Gonzalez Arzac
Casa Closed in La Plata Argentina by Felipe Gonzalez Arzac
Casa Closed in La Plata Argentina by Felipe Gonzalez Arzac
Casa Closed in La Plata Argentina by Felipe Gonzalez Arzac
Casa Closed in La Plata Argentina by Felipe Gonzalez Arzac
Casa Closed in La Plata Argentina by Felipe Gonzalez Arzac