Casa en Piedras Hides in Córdoba’s Native Forest

Immersed in the native forest of Córdoba, Casa en Piedras by Argentinian studio Estudio Palacios hides itself behind immense rocks.

Located near the town of Taninga, the house is surrounded by quebrachos, carobs, chañars, wild apples, cactus, wildflowers, and thousands of other species.

The house provides flexible uses for a multifamily, accommodating three siblings and their families, as well as a smaller independent home for their mother.

The main concept is to embrace the rocks, and with a view toward the river, two horizontal volumes unfold from the mountainous terrain and stones.

Incorporating an industrialised system into the design was necessitated by the very cold, dry, and windy climate, remoteness from any nearby town, difficult access, and lack of specialised construction labour.

The two predominant materials were chosen in reference to the landscape: corten steel cladding, relating to the earthy tones of the autumn vegetation, and black Portoro stone-plastic cladding, matching the texture and colour of the surrounding rocks.

Both materials were chosen for their good resistance to the climate and minimal maintenance.

The main house has a functional layout developed on one floor with two split levels. On the ground floor, the access area includes the kitchen, dining room, living room, and a terrace with a grill, which also serves as a viewpoint.

One level down there are three en-suite bedrooms and a large bedroom with an en-suite bathroom. Half a level up, there is a barbecue area with a wine cellar and two terraces, also serving as viewpoints.

The “mamahouse” was designed separately, providing a completely independent unit from the main house with its own program: living room, dining room, and kitchen integrated into one space, and a bedroom with a bathroom.

The rooms in both units open up onto a terrace with a grill and a vast landscape view. Communal to all the residents is a swimming pool, paddle court, and garage.

The house opens to the north, revealing the grandeur of the mountains and capturing as much light and warmth as possible.

Prioritising versatile and rustic furnishings, wood was chosen as the predominant material due to the quality it conveys and its strong connection to the idea of a country home. Monolithic stucco floors in taupe were used throughout.

The interiors connect to the exterior constantly, such that in the hallway connecting the bedrooms, the rocks seem to become part of it.

Estudio Palacios described the result of the project as “to scale the living space within this vastness and celebrate the stunning views of nature in every room”.