A sculptural home overlooking Guatapé
Rising from a hilltop in Colombia, Atelier Garcia’s Concrete House is both a viewpoint and a shelter, designed in dialogue with the dramatic Rock of Guatapé and its vast reservoir. The triangular floor plan, shaped by the natural contours of the land, creates three axes that orchestrate movement, perspective, and layered spatial experiences. From a grounded plinth to a transparent social level and an open rooftop terrace, the home balances intimacy with exposure while embedding itself in the landscape.
Architecture that embraces terrain
The lower level is reserved for private quarters, carefully integrated into the forested slope and opening selectively to gardens. Above, a light-filled pavilion serves as the main social hub, framing sweeping views of the horizon. The roof rests on three sculptural supports: a triangular fireplace, a rectangular column that doubles as kitchen storage, and a rounded stairwell illuminated by a skylight. Each element merges function with form, reinforcing the building’s sculptural identity.
Seamless circulation and panoramic exposure
An organic ramp leads to a bridge connecting the main volume to the circular roof deck, where residents enjoy 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape. This layered circulation system reflects the house’s threefold dialogue with nature—anchored, framed, and elevated. Transitions from enclosed interiors to open-air terraces highlight the constant interplay between shelter and openness.
Brutalist clarity rooted in nature
Materially restrained yet conceptually rich, the structure combines a concrete plinth with a floating roof that accentuates horizontality while grounding the home to its site. The design resists ornamentation, instead foregrounding the drama of Guatapé’s natural scenery and creating spaces that shift effortlessly between quiet retreat and expansive outlook.
A new vision of Colombian Brutalism
With its interplay of raw materiality, sculptural supports, and landscape-driven planning, Concrete House offers a contemporary interpretation of Brutalism that celebrates Colombia’s natural beauty. The project exemplifies how architecture can achieve abstract clarity while maintaining a profound connection to place.
