Canvases Unfold in Nature
Designed for Argentine painter Juan José Cambre, Atelier Cambre combines living and working within a single environment dedicated to painting. Inspired by the mountains and forests of the nearby Punilla Valley, the building consists of two interlocking rectangular volumes. Red brick and the surrounding landscape establish a strong presence, while skylights, expansive walls, and a generous studio provide optimal conditions for artistic production. Filled with natural light, the studio remains like a blank canvas awaiting color and form.
At the center of the project is a double-height studio with a ceiling height of five meters. Its 10-meter-long walls accommodate large-scale paintings and allow multiple works to be developed simultaneously. Skylights provide even daylight, while vertical openings at either end create cross ventilation, helping paint dry efficiently. The living quarters are integrated into the same volume, with a kitchen, storage spaces, and a long worktable below and an open mezzanine bedroom above. From the mezzanine, the artist overlooks the studio, reinforcing the connection between daily life and creative work.
Two rectangular volumes rotate around a shared axis to frame the landscape. The void created by their overlap contains a separate volume housing services and vertical circulation. This element forms the entrance, offers varied views of the central space, and connects to a rooftop terrace overlooking the surroundings.
Circulation is designed to strengthen the relationship between architecture and nature. Moving between interior and exterior spaces continually reframes the landscape. Openings carved into the walls frame the forest and mountains, creating a sequence of views throughout the building.
The material palette draws from local building traditions. Brick, inspired by the region’s adobe houses, serves as the primary material. Its red tones contrast with the green mountains and shift with changing light and weather. Inside, white walls function as a backdrop for artworks and color. Natural wood flooring distinguishes living and working areas through changes in plank direction, while railings, windows, and stairs are expressed through metal structures.
The building relies on passive environmental strategies. Thick masonry walls and cross ventilation help regulate indoor temperatures, while openings are positioned according to seasonal solar conditions. Locally sourced materials reduce transportation impacts and support regional craftsmanship. Set within a natural clearing, the building minimizes disturbance to existing vegetation. Water is returned to the landscape through native planting beds, completing a cycle between architecture and nature.
Project: Atelier Cambre / Location: Los Cocos, Córdoba, Argentina / Architect: Esteras Perrote (Lucía Esteras, Gonzalo Perrote) / Execution: Esteras Perrote / Client: Juan José Cambre / Use: atelier / Gross floor area: 250m2 / Design: 2023 / Construction: 2024-2025 / Completion: 2025 / Photograph: © Javier Agustín Rojas (courtesy of the architect)
