OF. Studio, an internationally award-winning architecture practice based in London, designed a 571 m² single-family residence in Mendoza, Argentina, conceived as a bold architectural response to its landscape, where form, materiality, and human inhabitation are expressed with radical honesty.

Supporting a distinctive concrete plane (a grey plateau) the structure opens to 360-degree views of the Andean desert mountains and the oasis below. The house becomes a tectonic extension of the hillside, establishing a profound and sincere relationship with its environment.

The site demands a negotiation between solar orientation and panoramic views. North provides optimal light in the Southern Hemisphere, while the South offers the most striking vistas. The house integrates seamlessly into the existing slope and native vegetation, not a single tree was removed during construction.



Programmatically, the house unfolds in three vertical stages of perception: inside the earth (basement), in-between the earth (ground floor), and outside the earth (first floor). At the heart lies the kitchen, wrapped by communal spaces and connected by three staircases offering alternative routes and spatial experiences.



Four terraces extend the house outward. The main terrace continues the living and dining areas into the landscape. Adjacent, the BBQ area supports large gatherings. A third terrace, linked to the playroom, provides a semi-independent space for children. Above all, the rooftop plateau offers zones for yoga, a fireplace, a jacuzzi, and gardens, framing the surroundings and inviting moments of stillness.

On the canyon-facing elevation, earth-toned concrete walls define the house’s massing and shield it from southern exposure. The structure seems to emerge from the hill, yet asserts a new identity — what the design team refers to as “OF. Abstract Nature”. Exposed concrete, chosen for its resonance with local materials and crafted in close collaboration with regional builders, was fine-tuned through on-site testing to match the earth’s hues. This attention to materiality anchors the house in place, both visually and symbolically.

Sustainability is central to the design approach. Passive strategies, such as thermal insulation, shading, natural ventilation, reduce energy demand. Solar panels, solar heaters, and a greywater system further enhance the house’s environmental performance.