GRAPHĒ: The Forest Is the Living Room at This Concrete Paraguay Retreat

A sprawling roof extending over indoor/outdoor spaces has cutouts that make space for mature trees.

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Project Details:

Location: San Bernardino, Paraguay

Architect: Equipo de Arquitectura / @equipodearquitectura

Footprint: 2,800 square feet

Landscape Design: Viviana Pozzoli

Structural Engineer: Felipe Ramírez

Photographer: Federico Cairoli / @federicocairoli

From the Architect: "A Forest in the House proposes an alternative approach to harmonizing the built form with its natural surroundings. Rather than treating existing trees as obstacles, the project embraces them as fundamental guides that shape the spatial program. The trees delineate the relationship between occupied spaces and voids, freeing the structure from conventional grid systems and establishing a dynamic rhythm that reflects the patterns of nature. This nonorthogonal disposition of the pillars contributes to the structure’s lateral stability. The solid volumes are constructed using compressed earth blocks, reinforcing the project’s commitment to a material dialogue with the landscape.

"Vertical structural elements are carefully arranged among the trees. By aligning themselves so as not to interfere with the roots, they recede visually and integrate into the background, blending with the natural logic of the surrounding trunks. This conscious integration generates a dialogue in which artifice and nature speak the same language.

"The spatial composition unfolds across two distinct horizontal planes. The primary plane, the floor, rises subtly, allowing tree roots to evolve freely over time. In parallel, the secondary plane, the ceiling, replicates this geometry to form a terrace that invites occupants to enjoy panoramic views of the treetops.

"Ultimately, the project imagines a future in which the boundaries between architecture and nature dissolve: a future in which the built environment is as organic as its natural context. This vision not only proposes a different spatial solution, but also offers a reminder of the potential for coexistence and balance. Thus, in unison, all the elements of the house compose a big band that, depending on the season or time of day, plays the music that best accompanies the experience."