Los Conquistadores Street Office : Enrique Browne

OFFICE IN LOS CONQUISTADORES STREET Architect: Enrique Browne Contributors: Mariano Chilli and Clara Guzman Land Area: 416 m2 Primitive Built Area: 139 m2 Expansion Area: 142 m2 Total Built Surface: 281 m2 Year: 1995 / 97 Photograper: Guy Wenborne ABSTRACT A simple house was remodeled, installing in it a reception area, meeting rooms and a long private office on the first floor. The kitchen and the original bathrooms were conserved. A ramp, next to the original house serves the three studios, located between the house and the lot lines. These studios embrace a semi recessed patio in the interior corner of the sites which provides light and greenery. Such patio is roofed by a metallic trellis, avoiding unpleasant views of the backyards of the neighbors. In its turn, the trellis produces compelling striped shadows varying according to the time of the day. The inclined axis of the ramp (a diagonal in vertical) has a hand rail that lights up like a ray towards the north, where golden light penetrates. At night such natural golden light ends progressively leaving the blue light installed above the lowered wood ceiling predominant. This color change produces dramatic information in the overall atmosphere. Apart from connecting spaces, the ramp also serves for project reviews and correcting drawing plans. The ramp axis intercepts with a diagonal in horizontal that visually connects the access with the interior patio, also revealing a double height in the studios. A metal mesh surrounds the building, unifying the house with its additions. They are covered by greenery, resulting in abstract hedges. It also serves to protect the property, improve the acoustical resistance and mimic the whole with the greenery of the neighborhood. Los Conquistadores Street Office images / information from Enrique Browne Arquitecto 28 Jul 2008