150 Best Minimalist House Ideas (2014)

Architect: María Victoria Besonías, Luciano Kruk/BAKarquitectos

Location: Costa Esmeralda, Argentina

Photography: Gustavo Sosa Pinilla

This site, in an area of coastal dunes, has a slight depression at its center and a row of tall acacias along the street. These features provide the homeowners with privacy. The design took advantage of the height difference between the street and the center of the lot to create two stacked structures forming an L-shape, with the living area at the top and the bedrooms at the bottom.

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A detailed sun path analysis that outlines the shaded areas of a home is critical for optimizing the benefits of a brise-soleil.

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A brise-soleil forms a double-skin in front of a fully glazed enclosure. The structure avoids excessive heat from the sun, while letting in abundant natural light.

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A backsplash window in a kitchen brings in plenty of light over the countertop and still leaves room for shelves above.

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Hand-packing concrete produces veining. If this technique is used in a room where water penetration is a concern, such as a bathroom, the concrete surface should be finished with a coat of polyaspartic.