“Live thy Life, Young and old, Like yon oak,” penned the English poet, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, capturing the enduring spirit of the mighty oak tree, which stands as a symbol of strength and resilience through the seasons. This imagery serves as the guiding philosophy for the LuMa House, which unfolds around a majestic 100-year-old oak tree in Martínez, Argentina. Conceived by Buenos Aires-based architecture studio, AtelierM, the 210 square metres residential architecture preserves the tree thoughtfully into the design while ensuring abundant natural light throughout the private residence.

Established in 2020 by Argentinian architect Matias Mosquera, AtelierM’s projects are both experienced and adept in exploring the interplay of light. Mosquera’s key consideration for project LuMa was to achieve consistently streaming natural light from the building’s north façade. However, the orientation of the land posed a unique challenge for the residents with the main north façade interrupting their privacy. This design dilemma led to a profound exploration of honouring and incorporating the oak's presence into the project. “Should we contemplate it, admire it, explore it? And if so, from what angle? In its immediate surroundings or looking up at its imposing height?” the design team contemplated.

“Ensuring the tree's health and stability while incorporating it into the design required innovative structural solutions and careful planning,” the architectural studio shared. Through thoughtful deliberation and an extensive study of the sun's movement, AtelierM crafted a stimulating sensory experience. The unfenestrated modest façade design features a sloping park atop the roof of the residential building, providing a vantage point from which the oak emerges with a striking prominence. Stepping into the house, visitors are greeted by a circular patio where the oak tree stands as the focal point. This creates an intimate space for reflection.

To foster an effortless interaction among the residents, Mosquera conferred a dynamic open-plan layout for the house. A spiralling concrete beam with expansive windows winds around the tree, connecting the ground floor to the first. While the former accommodates the living areas culminating in a garden, the latter houses bedrooms connected by a floating concrete staircase. Its convoluting form is further supported by a wooden partition in clean lines.

Influenced by regional craftsmanship and traditions, the design ensures the residence aligns with its cultural backdrop and camouflages into the natural landscape. Alternatively, the contemporary architectural elements showcase a forward-thinking design through open courtyards and enclosing glass canopy which assures that light flows naturally through the oak’s leaves and adapts with the seasons—illuminating the space in winter and providing shade in summer.

AtelierM’s characteristic use of concrete’s cool and muted shades sits in contrast against the warm wooden tones and textures of LuMa. These locally sourced materials contribute to the longevity of the residence and minimise its environmental footprint. The minimal design of the residential architecture underscores the team’s commitment to simplicity and sustainability, ensuring a thermally efficient and cohesive design that complements its natural surroundings.

LuMa House resounds Tennyson’s words: “Look, he stands, Trunk and bough, Naked strength," with the oak tree's eternal presence in its fluid embrace. The residential design creates a powerful dialogue between architecture and nature and ensures that the tree remains central to the project’s vision. “The central oak tree serves as a gathering point, fostering a sense of community and connection to nature,” AtelierM tells STIR. “Over time, we believe the house will adapt to the changing needs of its inhabitants while maintaining its core principles of light, nature and harmony.”

Project Details

Name: LuMa House
Location: Martínez, Provincia De Buenos Aires, Argentina
Typology: Residential Architecture
Architect: AtelierM
Design Team: Matías Mosquera, Camila Gianicolo, Cristian Grasso, Carolina Tobar, Sebastian Karagozlu, Marcelo Vita
Collaborators: Pedro Gea (Structural Design)
Built Area: 210 sqm
Site Area: 450 sqm
Year of Completion: 2024