Concrete House by Atelier García
Perched at the edge of a Colombian hillside, the Concrete House designed by Atelier García offers an intricate dialogue between geometry, landscape, and architectural subtlety. Nestled within the Guatapé region—a zone transformed by the hydroelectric reservoir built in the 1970s—the project takes advantage of the terrain’s natural contours.
Water carves through the mountainous geography, creating a sinuous shoreline visible from the site’s elevated vantage. In this sculpted environment, the Rock of Guatapé rises unmistakably, anchoring the horizon and commanding presence across the reservoir.
The triangular form of the home is a thoughtful response to the client’s request for minimal terrain impact. Rather than altering the hilltop’s summit, the architecture aligns itself with the site, preserving the only direct view of the monolith. This sensitivity reflects Atelier García’s guiding principles: to honor nature, embrace mystery, and seek harmony between built and natural environments.
Within the structure, the design unfolds through layered experiences. The lower level embeds the bedrooms into a concrete base that merges seamlessly with the land. The walls’ wooden formwork impression and cave-like enclosure produce a feeling of warmth and retreat. This foundation is not only structurally rooted but symbolically grounded, offering a quiet intimacy with the earth.
Above, the main social space opens up entirely, a single expansive room framed by three sculptural supports. These supports function beyond their structural roles: a triangular fireplace radiates warmth, a hollow rectangular column conceals the pantry and fridge, and a circular staircase coils upward beneath a skylight. Each form introduces a unique tactile rhythm to the space, reinforcing the studio’s belief in architecture as an evolving sensory journey.
From this room, a path curves gently toward a bridge that leads to the rooftop terrace. This circular platform crowns the dwelling, offering panoramic views of the water and the Rock of Guatapé. The integration of distinct geometries throughout the structure cultivates a spatial richness that balances abstraction with context.
Founded in 2006, Atelier García channels the combined visions of Orlando García and Clara Arango. Their practice—rooted in New York and Colombia—fuses architectural rigor with artistic sensibility. Their work consistently demonstrates a profound respect for topography, light, and the idea of home as an emotional sanctuary. This Guatapé project distills those values into an architectural narrative that is both precise and poetic.
Photography by Mateo Soto, with courtesy of Atelier García
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