House with nine portal frames

A narrow plot whose proportions and farming past suggested generating a space through the repetition of equidistant portal frames

The first forms a courtyard at the entrance, giving a nuance to the house’s engagement with the street. It is followed by three bays for the actual dwelling, and one more serving as a veranda for the south patio, which takes up two bays. A final volume wraps up the project as a pavilion in which to paint and enjoy the company of friends. The metal structure and the red ocher tone give rhythm and a continuous reference. Air vents in each bay and a chute for natural ventilation located on the side of the middle bay guarantee criss-crossing breezes.

The standard portal frame sets the supports back, away from the party walls, to prevent conflicts with the loadbearing walls of the neighboring houses, and the resulting gap is used for equipment, technical spaces, and storage. The house presents itself on the street side as a massive white construction, in imitation of Castilleja’s disappearing early buildings. Elements like the lattice wall or the side door at the entrance seal a connection with vernacular architecture, define the interaction between private and public spheres, and help to build the street.