third prize | La Juanita, Terraviva competition
Perched on the undulating terrain of Paraná, Argentina, this house emerges where the land gently meets the river, embracing the natural rhythms. The river is ever-present, its breeze carrying the scent of damp earth and flowering trees, its quiet murmur echoing through the spaces. Veils of foliage filter the sun, casting moving shadows on wood and stone.
River Veil House is a home shaped by its landscape, a place where nature lingers, drifts, and is always near.
“We begin our descent, following the natural slope of the land until an opening reveals itself—an invitation, a quiet threshold. Stepping through, we arrive at a patio, a pause between worlds. From here, the path splits: a wooden door welcomes us inside, or we can continue outside, tracing the edge of the pool as it stretches toward the river and is partially covered to keep the water fresh during the intense summers..
Beyond, a grand balcony unfolds, merging with the woods, dissolving boundaries. Entering, we are embraced by warmth—a feeling of home, of belonging. The social space breathes with the landscape, open, fluid, alive. A quiet passage draws us deeper. Soft steps lead to the sleeping quarters, where overhead light filters down, a gentle reminder of calm, of rest.
A second horizontal volume, discreet and introspective, holds the private spaces. It does not seek the distant view but turns inward, cradling a small zen patio—a retreat within the retreat.
And at the heart of it all, the barbecue place, perched like a balcony over the river. More than a space, it is a ritual where fire, conversation, and mate bring life to the house, a celebration of time, of place, of Argentine soul.”
