By Proyecto Triangular undertook a renovation project in a 32m2 apartment nestled within a heritage-listed building from the 1930s in the Balvanera neighborhood of Buenos Aires. The existing layout of the unit lacked cohesion, prompting a redesign aimed at optimizing natural light penetration and reverting to the original project’s footprint while accommodating contemporary living and working needs.
Flexible Design Approach
The apartment was intended to serve as both a permanent residence and a workspace for a textile designer, necessitating flexibility and ample storage solutions. Three distinct pieces were crafted to reconfigure the apartment, maximizing vertical space utilization. These pieces serve various functions, including delineating the bathroom and kitchen areas, providing storage, and accommodating appliances, all while maintaining an open living and working environment.
Material Palette
The material selection was guided by a desire to integrate existing textures unearthed during demolition. Exposed brick walls, wood imprints from formwork preserved in the concrete ceiling and columns, and original moldings were retained and unified with a coat of white paint, accentuating the textures’ subtle variations. Polished micro cement was applied to create a seamless, continuous floor surface, complemented by translucent elements like polycarbonate panels that filter light throughout the apartment.
Maximizing Light and Warmth
Translucent materials, such as polycarbonate and opal glass, were strategically employed to facilitate light diffusion while maintaining privacy and thermal efficiency. Guatambu storage modules add a touch of warmth to the space, enhancing its inviting ambiance. In the bathroom, opal glass facing outward and polycarbonate inward act as thermal insulators, preventing vapor condensation while allowing ample light transmission.
Conclusion
In summary, the intervention by Proyecto Triangular has significantly improved space integration, natural light ingress, and storage capacity in the Lavalle apartment. The thoughtful material palette respects the building’s historical context while infusing contemporary elements that imbue the space with warmth and luminosity, creating a harmonious blend of past and present.
