Situated in El Paraíso, Argentina, the Breezeway House was designed to take advantage of the lot’s two dominating landscapes: the forest and the countryside. The placement and design of the home were challenging due to the irregular shape of the lot, but the use of concrete and a built-in breezeway helped create a space that met all of the owner’s criteria.
The home itself, designed by Adolfo Schlieper Arquitectos, is a beautiful example of how concrete can be used to create a low-maintenance home that complements its surroundings. The breezeway is, of course, the home’s main focal point.
What Is a Breezeway in a House?
A breezeway is a roofed, open passageway between two structures (usually a home and a garage) or two halves of a home.
In the case of the Concrete Breezeway house, the passageway separates the two sides of the home.
Breezeway House Plans
One of the first challenges for Adolfo Schlieper Arquitectos and lead architects Adolfo Schlieper and Cintia Colazzo was figuring out the placement of the home. The irregular shaped lot’s shortest side is facing the street. To take advantage of views of the nearby countryside and forest, the house was placed in the transition between these two natural areas.
The home, built in 2021, offers 90 m2 of space and a simple design that meets all of the couple’s needs.
A Low Maintenance Home
The buyer wanted a low-maintenance home with an ample meeting space connected to the kitchen and a bedroom. In addition, the home would serve as a weekend getaway to spend time in nature. The couple also planned to train horses on the property, so that had to be taken into consideration.
To meet the client’s demands, a design was proposed that would place the gathering space and the intimate space (bedroom) opposite of each other. The breezeway would separate these two spaces.
Mirroring the Landscape
The home’s form directly relates to the nearby landscape, with inclined roofs that mirror the forest and countryside.
The inclined roof also allows for rainwater collection, which flows into the green terrace. Excess water is diverted to a free-fall system that connects to two pools on the open terrace. The collected water serves as drinking water for the horses.
The Breezeway
The home’s entrance is through the semi-covered breezeway, which can be closed in two different places.
The living, kitchen and dining space is situated in one open-living concept area. Here, the couple can enjoy views of the forest. On the opposite side of the gallery is the bedroom.
Each area of the home offers views of nature, allowing the couple to completely disconnect during each stay.
Concrete as the Dominant Construction Material
Concrete was the dominant material used to construct the Breezeway House, and it was chosen for two reasons:
- Its sculptural qualities
- It’s a low-maintenance material
The exposed concrete serves as the home’s exterior, interior walls and flooring.
The home consists of concrete slabs that are supported by partition walls and beams. A sloping slab allows runoff rainwater to enter the central roof gutters.
All of the home’s interior equipment is also made of concrete, and that includes the countertops in the kitchen. That allows the architect to use one material throughout the entire structure, keeping it low maintenance while maintaining a modern style.
The Concrete Breezeway House’s all-concrete design allows the couple to enjoy their getaway home on weekends without worrying about maintenance while they’re away. Concrete’s natural durability and resistance to weather and pests make it a fitting choice for a weekend retreat in the countryside. The simple, minimalistic design of the home allows the couple to truly relax and enjoy the peace of nature.
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