Casa Cosmos: Topography, Space and Light
Site and Natural Context
The “Casa Cosmos” project is located on the slopes of the Bonia Valley in Capilla del Monte, within a semi-arid natural environment bordered by a reserve that contains dense native vegetation such as quebracho and algarrobo species. The site is characterized by a topography that slopes from east to west, with a more pronounced decline toward the south in the direction of the reserve boundary. This natural context imposes clear conditions on the orientation of the architectural mass and its relationship with the surroundings.
Topographical Response
The slope of the land is directly reflected in the organization of the project, where the difference in levels is taken into account in shaping the architectural base and defining structural anchoring points. As a result, the terrain is not perceived as an obstacle, but rather as a guiding factor that shapes the distribution of spaces and influences their visual relationships with the surrounding landscape.
Visual Concept and Spatial Organization
The design is based on a central idea from which the mass extends in multiple directions, resembling an optical device that directs attention toward specific points in the landscape. Within this framework, three main views are framed: to the south toward the reserve and Mount “Cerro Las Gemelas,” to the northeast where “Cerro Uritorco” is visible, and to the west toward the “El Cajón Dam.” This organization reflects a direct relationship between the architectural composition and its visual field.
Central Spatial Organization
The design decision results in a tripartite configuration that organizes the distribution of spaces around a central area dedicated to social activities. Elements such as the kitchen and dining area are integrated into this core, while other spaces, such as the master suite and office, are placed along the perimeter. In this context, thick walls are used to separate certain functions, contributing to privacy control and improved thermal performance.
Light as an Organizing Element
The core of the project features a triangular skylight that distributes natural light throughout the interior spaces. As the path of light changes during the day, this element becomes a visual time reference, reflecting the passage of time within the dwelling without the need for mechanical systems.
Mass and Transitional Space
The spatial experience is defined by a multi-faceted, dense volume shaped through strategic openings at key points. This approach generates transitional spaces in the form of deep corridors that provide shade and protection for large openings. In addition, sliding metal shutters are used to control lighting and ventilation while enhancing security levels.
Adaptation to Topography
The project takes advantage of the site’s slope to generate level differences within the main spaces. In this sense, a base is created to absorb the natural incline and establish a new reference level for the main floor. This base also accommodates an independent residential unit, in addition to technical facilities and storage areas, reflecting a direct utilization of the site’s characteristics in organizing the project.
Materiality and Structural Performance
The material approach is expressed through a base constructed with thick poured stone walls capable of retaining the soil and defining the new level. Above it, the main floor is formed with exposed concrete walls cast using wooden formwork, with thermal insulation layers integrated into the external walls. As a result, a balance is achieved between structural solidity and improved thermal and humidity performance. For further technical details, you can refer to Material Datasheets and other Building Materials resources.
Light and Architectural Expression
The architectural expression is based on material clarity and construction techniques, where structural elements are left exposed without additional cladding or ornamentation. In contrast, light interacts with the mass as a dynamic element that reflects time through its daily and seasonal movement. Thus, light becomes a perceptual tool within the project, connecting spatial experience with the surrounding natural context.
✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight
The Casa Cosmos project emerges as an architectural response conditioned by an environmental and regulatory framework that governs land use at the edge of a natural reserve. The sloping topography becomes a decisive factor in the distribution of masses rather than a mere design choice. The project reorganizes the residential program through a structural base that stabilizes the soil and establishes a new reference level, while upper functions are arranged around a central social void. Visual openings are oriented according to permitted sightlines defined by the reading of the site, while the structural materials, stone and exposed concrete, reflect efficiency and Research logic. Top light is used as a temporal organizing mechanism within the space, transforming the Buildings into a negotiation between site constraints, construction requirements, and the environmental logic of the location.
