La Cunka Shelter is located in the Sierras Chicas of Córdoba, overlooking Los Molinos Lake and just minutes away from the small town of Potrero de Garay.
The starting point of the project was the desire to inhabit the eastern slope of the mountain in its most essential form: to experience the landscape not as a backdrop but as a living presence. The architecture sought to frame this encounter—an experience that is temporary and sporadic, yet profoundly intimate. The place called for a quiet gesture, one capable of revealing what was already there.
The studio understood that the architectural response had to be minimal: a set of small dwellings with a limited footprint that could be inserted into the existing landscape, offering comfort while coexisting with the environment in an appropriately austere way.
Two small wooden volumes rest on square foundations built with local stone walls, enjoying a panoramic view of the lake. The main structure is composed of a series of metal frames linked together, while the exterior is clad in specially treated wood that gives it a dark, matte finish. In contrast, the interior is wrapped in natural local wood, providing the user with a “sufficient” yet warm sense of comfort.
A single flexible space is designed for cooking, resting, and sharing. The program is complemented by a bathroom with views to nature and a small pool nestled among the trees.
The metal frames were prefabricated in a workshop and assembled on site, while the walls, floors, and ceilings were built by local carpenters. Text description by the architects.
