casa en baldrich
2005- Honor Award, IX Bienal of Puerto Rico
The design of this single-family residence, located in a suburban area of San Juan, seeks to create a home that is both introverted and interconnected, providing a physical and spiritual refuge from the visual intensity and chaos of its immediate surroundings and the metropolitan area.
Due to the narrowness of the lot, the design was conceived as a kind of townhouse, integrating side and front patios wherever regulatory parameters allowed. A sequence of interior spaces—alternating between narrow and wide, single- and double-height areas, semi-enclosed and enclosed patios, and water features such as a pond and pool—transforms the compact lot into a sanctuary for its inhabitants. The use of compact patios and water elements references the Mediterranean tradition introduced to Puerto Rico through colonial urban houses.
The spatial sequence leads to the heart of the house: an outdoor living area centered around a patio-pool. Four skylights arranged in a pinwheel formation over the pool create a unique interplay between interior and exterior spaces, modulating natural light, shadow, and the sound of water. Windows, patios, and skylights serve as the primary sources of natural ventilation and daylight. Exterior openings are tall and vertical, maximizing light and airflow, while the skylights, aligned with the cardinal points, also act as indicators of the time of day. The home’s minimal expression and white color were intentionally chosen to counter the surrounding visual chaos and reference nearby mid-century modern structures.
The design also accommodates the owner’s collection of sculptures and religious objects, which are displayed on strategically placed concrete pedestals that visually anchor key axes and create distinctive identities for hierarchical spaces. Materials like wood, exposed concrete, water, and light were used, along with features like fixed and louvered windows, metallic handrails, and other finishes. The program of the house includes a living room, dining room, kitchen, bedrooms, interior patio and pool, and bathrooms on the first level, with the master bedroom, personal office, and additional bathroom on the second level.
