The structure is metallic and modulated, with a double UPN profile, in which square and rectangular tubes have also been used. The openings and the external envelopes are made of aluminium. With these main components -structure, envelopes and openings- multiple roles are fulfilled: climate control, lighting, maintenance...
Two metal houses by Mauricio Morra Arquitectos. Photograph by Ramiro Sosa.
Two metal houses by Mauricio Morra Arquitectos. Photograph by Ramiro Sosa.
Description of project by Mauricio Morra Arquitectos
The two houses in PH are located on a corner lot of 12 x 30 mts, in a neighborhood on the eastern outskirts of the city of Rafaela, province of Santa Fe, Argentina. The corner situation is taken advantage of to generate income on the longer north side and to give a hierarchy to both dwellings. The proposal avoids common spaces, which meant higher construction and maintenance costs. The land was divided exactly in half, leaving the entire built and free surface area private -with its own patios-, except for the obligatory northern setback, which has been left as a semi-public garden.
Both houses are identical 2-bedroom duplexes (one bedroom and accessible bathroom on the ground floor and another on the first floor). They are supported on South and West party walls with services and take advantage of the best East and North orientations for lighting, sunlight, and ventilation.
Its structure is metallic and modulated, with double UPN profiles, plus square and rectangular tubes. The openings and external envelopes are made of aluminum (vertical rectangular tubes placed on their faces or edges). These main components - structure, envelopes, and openings - merge into a unified and integrated expression, fulfilling multiple roles: climate control, lighting, visual, privacy, and security, with very low maintenance. As for the interior, the partitioning is solved with dry technologies.
They have double-height galleries facing east, operating as a transition between the interior (living rooms where the double-height living-dining room stands out) and the exterior (expansion courtyards). There is a close relationship, synergy, and spatial fluidity between these three categories - interior-transition-exterior. A courtyard of light on the upper floor accentuates this contingency and integration of open and covered spaces, with lighting situations and the presence of natural elements - sky, light, vegetation - that favor an atmosphere of tranquillity.
Due to its topological configuration, the proposal includes versatility of uses and flexibility to add future extensions, without corrupting its original concepts. In some of the double-height modules -living-dining room or gallery- it is possible to add, in a very simple way, mezzanines with dry technologies, within the same construction.
