The PH Gainza transforms a 1950s horizontal property in Buenos Aires through a renovation that reorganizes the home around two terracotta-paved courtyards and a lightweight upper-level addition. Estudio Futuro preserved the original exposed concrete structure while introducing crisp white steel, corrugated metal, aluminum-framed glazing, and bespoke timber elements that distinguish the new interventions from the existing architecture. Full-height windows and sliding doors connect the main living, dining, and kitchen area to the central patio, allowing natural light and ventilation to shape the interior.
The renovation replaces a former laundry room with two first-floor bedrooms that open onto a rooftop patio, while an external curved white steel staircase links the two levels. White corrugated metal cladding defines the upper floor, contrasting with the concrete lower level and reclaimed materials retained throughout the home.
Courtyard House Renovations
The PH Gainza is a Renovated Courtyard House by Estudio Futuro
Trend Themes
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Courtyard-centered Renovations — Dense urban homes are increasingly using internal patios to merge daylight, ventilation, and outdoor living, creating openings for climate-responsive layouts in constrained residential footprints.
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Lightweight Vertical Additions — Upper-level expansions with steel, metal cladding, and glazing are redefining how older low-rise properties gain space without erasing structural heritage.
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Contrasting Material Preservation — Renovations that visibly separate historic concrete, reclaimed elements, and new industrial finishes reflect a growing market for adaptive reuse with clear architectural storytelling.
Industry Implications
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Residential Architecture — Architecture practices are finding new value in reconfiguring aging urban homes around flexible indoor-outdoor spaces that improve comfort and spatial efficiency.
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Building Materials — Demand for corrugated metal, aluminum glazing, reclaimed surfaces, and bespoke timber points to material systems that balance affordability, durability, and design distinction.
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Home Renovation — The renovation sector is shifting toward sensitive upgrades that preserve original structures while introducing modern circulation, rooftop patios, and energy-conscious natural ventilation.