Architectural Cases

A distinctive weekend retreat in San Andrés de Giles, Argentina, designed by PLUG arquitectura, showcases an innovative approach to rural housing. This project, conceived for a couple with artistic sensibilities—a visual artist and a sculptor training in landscape design—transcends the typical dwelling by treating the site as a canvas for environmental exploration.

The architectural vision is shaped by two core principles: thoughtfully arranging living spaces within the natural setting and utilizing brick as the primary building material. This choice pays homage to the local brick-making heritage and the nearby kilns in Cucullú. The house employs modular brick construction, notably featuring a mortarless external brick skin that, while not load-bearing, enhances thermal efficiency and defines the building's material character. Inside, the design contrasts these robust exterior elements with lighter materials like sheet metal and timber, creating a dynamic interplay between different textures.

The residence is envisioned as a carved-out solid, originating from a rectangular mass from which three internal courtyards are created. These courtyards serve as miniature landscapes, each oriented to different solar exposures for experimenting with various plant species. The strategic placement of these openings also manipulates visual pathways, directing views inward towards the serene courtyards and away from the street, establishing them as central anchors within the architectural composition.

This dwelling stands as a testament to harmonious design, where architectural innovation meets ecological sensitivity. It reminds us that homes can be more than just shelters; they can be active participants in their environment, fostering a deeper connection with nature and embodying the creative spirit of their inhabitants. Such projects illuminate the potential for architecture to inspire, integrate, and elevate the human experience within the natural world.

BIG's design for Dymak's headquarters in Odense, Denmark, reimagines the conventional office space, transforming it into a dynamic, full-scale showcase of building materials. This 2,800-square-meter structure is strategically situated between an industrial area and the natural beauty of Glisholm Lake's wetlands. Its innovative circular layout incorporates a lush central courtyard, which floods the interiors with daylight, seamlessly blends the natural landscape with the workspace, and provides shared spaces that enhance daily interactions.

The architectural firm has meticulously woven a variety of finishes, typically displayed as individual samples in showrooms, directly into the building's fabric. Materials such as mass timber, clay, cork, eelgrass, and ceilings crafted from recycled paper fibers are integral to the working environment. This approach allows both staff and visitors to experience these elements on a grand scale, moving beyond mere observation to active engagement within rooms, workstations, and common areas, thereby evolving the concept of a static catalog into an immersive, living exhibition.

The circular footprint of the building enables BIG's architects to arrange the offices around a protected green courtyard, ensuring that nearly every workspace benefits from views of this central, planted atrium. The brick flooring extends from the interior out into the courtyard, where expansive seating and indigenous flora create an amphitheater-like setting suitable for informal meetings and daily gatherings. The structure's undulating roof is designed with both aesthetic and functional performance in mind; it ascends to the north to capture panoramic views of the surrounding woodland, while descending to the south to mitigate solar gain, enhance internal comfort, and shield the building from traffic noise. This distinctive, folded geometry also optimizes the surface for approximately 880 custom-shaped photovoltaic panels, seamlessly integrating renewable energy generation into the architectural design. Along the facade, a timber and glass grid system expertly filters natural light, with vertical fins becoming denser on the southern side and more open to the north, effectively framing views and regulating thermal performance. Outside, BIG's landscape team has designed planted basins and open drainage channels to manage and retain rainwater, further harmonizing the building with its natural surroundings.

This innovative project showcases how thoughtful design and material integration can create an inspiring and sustainable workplace. The Dymak headquarters exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to commercial architecture, where every element contributes to a holistic and enriching experience, fostering productivity and well-being within a naturally integrated setting.