Di Frenna Arquitectos: Casa Amankay reveals itself slowly. A stone staircase rises through dense vegetation, setting the rhythm of arrival. The surroundings invite a slower pace. To the right, a tall, leafy tree commands attention; on the opposite side, a vertical volume seems to respond, holding a quiet balance. The architecture presents itself clearly, but finds in the shadows and the greenery a gentler way of appearing.
From the outside, the volume reads as a horizontal sequence. A band of exposed concrete runs along the entire façade and, together with the roof slab, frames the upper floor as if held between two planes. This line is not merely structural; it houses deep planters that follow its path, echoing the geometry with vegetation. As if the house were returning a part of the ground it occupies. The gesture is firm, but never rigid.
Inside, the first pause comes with the staircase. Made of steel and wood, it floats in the space with an almost sculptural presence. Beneath it, a bed of loose stone insists on pulling the outside in. A double-height window frames the foliage, and the greenery filters in, softly, through reflections. The light shifts throughout the day, casting irregular shadows, revealing the textures of the walls, and projecting the green of the leaves across grey, rugged surfaces.
The material palette as a whole reinforces the contained character of the house: board-formed concrete, stone, and steel define the structure and atmosphere, while wood — in doors, ceilings, and furniture — adds warmth without disrupting the tone. Everything remains within a neutral, monochromatic range that gives prominence to what changes: the vegetation, the light and the air that moves through the patios.
Toward the back, a patio anchors the social spaces. The kitchen and terrace open completely to the outside, and just a few steps down are enough for the terrace to feel more intimate without becoming isolated. Everything is enclosed by vegetation: a living barrier that replaces walls, allowing one to see without being seen.
The upper floor, more private, houses the bedrooms. Here, intimacy coexists with the constant presence of green, which filters through every window and terrace. The rooms open directly onto patios or balconies, strengthening the bond with the surroundings. Nature enters wherever it finds a way, and the house doesn’t resist.
Casa Amankay rises with conviction, unfolding its volumes in a direct dialogue with the site. It is a solid, defined presence — one that claims its place without hesitation, revealing its architecture and character with clarity.
