Forest House by Gonzalo Bardach connects architecture with the natural landscape
Located on the coast of Buenos Aires, the Forest House by Gonzalo Bardach Arquitectura is a thoughtfully designed residence immersed in a dense coniferous forest.
Shaped by the surrounding terrain and vegetation, the project is conceived as a refuge that invites reflection and reconnection with nature. The house responds to the site’s topography by anchoring itself into a dune, creating a semi-buried structure that blends function with emotion.
This approach generates an environment where exterior and interior are continuously in dialogue, enabling residents to feel both protected and open to the natural world around them.
The architectural composition centers around three low-rise pavilions, each partially embedded into the terrain and linked by a green roof that forms part of the forest floor.
These pavilions organize the living program with clarity: service and private areas occupy the side wings, while the heart of the house, a central social space, opens entirely toward the natural elevation of the landscape.
This orientation maximizes views and daylight while preserving privacy, all without disturbing the rhythm of the forest that surrounds it.
A void carved at the center of the structure becomes the focal element. More than a simple courtyard, it functions as a spatial connector, framing views and channeling light while allowing breezes to flow across the house.
The presence of this open space enables full visual and sensory access to the forest, encouraging silence and calm.
As light passes through the canopy above, it creates intricate patterns that change throughout the day, offering an ever-evolving interior atmosphere tied to the rhythms of nature.
Gonzalo Bardach’s material selection plays a fundamental role in defining the identity of Forest House. Liquid stone, untreated wood, iron, and glass are employed in their raw state, chosen not only for their durability but also for their ability to harmonize with the environment.
These materials require little maintenance and enhance the tactile experience of the space, grounding the house within its context.
Liquid stone, in particular, adapts effortlessly to the undulating terrain and establishes continuity between built form and earth.
The landscaping design by Gonzalo Bardach embraces the principles of ecological sensitivity. Based on detailed botanical research of native species, the planting strategy supports biodiversity and avoids rigid patterns, instead allowing the vegetation to grow organically over time.
This results in a living, evolving ecosystem that extends the architectural philosophy beyond the walls and into the land itself.
Sustainability is integral to the Gonzalo Bardach’s project core. Passive design strategies prioritize natural ventilation and solar orientation, ensuring comfort without dependence on artificial systems.
Forest House is not simply a dwelling but a testament to architecture’s ability to cultivate deeper ties between humans and the ecosystems they inhabit.
Photography by César Béjar, with courtesy of Gonzalo Bardach Arquitectura
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