House 1736

This project begins with the challenge of qualifying and transforming the center into the most prominent space in the house. The new design creates a central space that is more connected to the outside world, filled with natural light and able to open and ventilate the entire house – a significant departure from the original configuration. This redesigned central space, although carefully programmed and highly architectural, invites the intensity of the surrounding climate through a roof opening. This atrium bisects the house, creating a more expansive and breathable environment. The increased height, enhanced natural light and improved ventilation evoke the atmosphere of an outdoor space within. The verticality of the atrium, together with the zenithal opening, controls the flow of air and light. Large structural walls are made of a low-cement concrete mix, combined with selected sand and gravel, and compacted using a technique similar to rammed earth. This method creates a robust, monolithic structure with significant thermal inertia, while the porous material helps regulate the temperature, humidity and acoustics within.