White Modular House is a three-storey residence designed by SET Arquitectura in Córdoba Province, Argentina. Positioned on a steep hillside covered with native vegetation, the home was conceived to minimise disruption to the site while maximising views of the surrounding valley.
The 280-square-metre structure is supported by steel stilts that reduce the need for extensive earthworks and allow the building to sit lightly above the terrain. A steel frame, corrugated metal cladding and a monochromatic white exterior give the house a unified appearance that contrasts with the rugged landscape.
The design follows a modular system that informs the layout, structure, facade and circulation throughout the home. An elevated steel walkway leads to the main entrance on the middle level, which contains the living area, kitchen and dining space. Large glazed openings connect these rooms to outdoor terraces and platforms overlooking the mountains.
Image Credit: Gonzalo Viramonte
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Stilt-supported Homes
- Elevated residential structures minimize terrain disruption while creating new possibilities for building on steep, ecologically sensitive, or previously impractical sites.
- Modular Mountain Architecture
- Prefabricated systems suited to rugged landscapes can reduce construction complexity and expand access to high-design housing in remote hillside regions.
- Low-impact Site Design
- Light-touch foundations, elevated walkways, and compact structural footprints signal a shift toward residences that preserve native vegetation while enhancing views and livability.
Sectors Adopting This
- Residential Architecture
- Architectural practices are finding new market potential in homes that combine modular planning, dramatic topography, and environmentally restrained construction methods.
- Prefabricated Construction
- Factory-built structural components adapted for sloped terrain present scalable alternatives to conventional hillside building, with fewer site interventions and shorter project timelines.
- Sustainable Real Estate
- Properties designed around minimal land disturbance and immersive natural settings are reshaping premium housing demand in scenic and environmentally sensitive locations.
