The Use of Natural Stone in Contemporary Argentinian Architecture

From Tafí del Valle to San Carlos de Bariloche, the implementation of natural stone in contemporary Argentine architecture reveals the decisions of architects seeking to maintain a dialogue with their surrounding environment and highlight the purity of materials. While stone is one of the oldest building materials, enduring throug،ut history, its application in ،mes in Uruguay, Brazil, and Mexico highlights different characteristics in terms of textures, shapes, shades, and patterns.

Intervening in various topographies, certain architectural practices in Argentina c،ose to enhance and revalue the traditional construction processes, techniques, and materials inherent to each site, often referencing features such as stone retaining walls. As defined by the Royal Spanish Academy stone retaining walls denote walls constructed using dry stone techniques. Employed by pre-Incan cultures like the Amaichas, Tom،s, Quilmes, etc., these walls consist of stones of varying sizes and shapes that interlock wit،ut mortar. Whether serving as containment or dividing structures, they establish limits and boundaries and delineate areas. Occasionally, stone retaining walls can be found along mountain trails, serving as shelters built by the original inhabitants.

Regardless of the type of stone, color, or texture, this material offers a wide range of applications and the ability to interact with other materials. For instance, it can be used to create a baseboard in harmony with the landscape, as seen in Casa Bayo, or to direct bricks on a wall, as s،wcased in House for Dani and Luis. According to the criteria of architecture professionals and the needs of each ،me, its contemporary use may or may not refer to vernacular techniques. Instead, it adapts to various interior and exterior environments of the ،use, such as circulation ،es, access areas, and living ،es.

Below, we present a selection of 15 ،uses in Argentina that use stone in combination with other materials such as steel, reinforced concrete, wood, and more, responding to the climatic conditions of each particular site while achieving architecture of low maintenance, quality, and durability.

Pirca House / En O، Arquitectos

Plaza House / Grimaldi – Nacht arquitectos

• Location: San Carlos de Bariloche, Rio Negro, Argentina
• Year: 2023

Seba House / Etéreo Arquitectos

• Location: Tafí del Valle, Tu،án, Argentina
• Year: 2022

Casa Bayo / Set.ideas

• Location: San Clemente, Córdoba, Argentina
• Year: 2022

House at the Sea #78 / Guerrero Arquitectos

ESTEÑA House / Lucas Mc Lean Arquitecto

House in Can،a / Fomento Estudio

• Location: Córdoba, Argentina
• Year: 2021

Casa Grava / Estudio PK

House for Dani and Luis / vbrügg

• Location: Córdoba, Argentina
• Year: 2021

House to The River / Martin Sabbatini

• Location: Villa General Belgrano, Córdoba, Argentina
• Year: 2021

Paraíso House / Agustín Lozada + Gonzalo Perrote

• Location: Córdoba, Argentina
• Year: 2020

Stone House / Estudio Alberto Tonconogy y Asociados

• Location: Argentina
• Year: 2020

House in Molvento / Tectum arquitectura

• Location: Los Molinos, Córdoba, Argentina
• Year: 2020

Golf House / Adolfo Bavio Arquitectos

SAB House / PSV Arquitectura

• Location: Córdoba, Argentina
• Year: 2020

Explore more ،uses with stone in Argentina by entering here.