BELL BELL
An Existing House and Mature Trees as the Starting Point
Opening text
BELL BELL brings together 24 homes in the suburban residential setting of City Bell, Argentina. The project retains and renovates an existing house, converting it into three residences, and introduces a new building with 21 apartments at the rear of the site. Preserved trees and a material palette of exposed concrete, brick, wood, and metal establish the relationship between the existing property and the new intervention.
Architectural narrative
Retaining the original house establishes the site’s organization. Its position along the street and its tiled roof preserve a recognizable feature of the residential landscape, while the new apartment building sits behind it. This arrangement introduces multifamily housing while retaining elements that shaped the property’s identity.
The new building comprises a ground floor and two upper stories. Private gardens at ground level and balconies above create different relationships with the outdoor spaces and tree canopies. Deep balconies provide a transition between the interiors and their surroundings, offering shaded areas and framing views of the nearby landscape.
The architectural expression combines the horizontal lines of exposed concrete slabs and edges with the vertical rhythm of brick wall sections and metal elements. Formwork impressions, masonry joints, and wood introduce contrasting textures at different scales. Restrained geometry and the direct expression of materials give the building its minimalist, Brutalist character.
The entrance brings these qualities into a shared space. A tall glazed facade connects the lobby to the outdoors, while continuous paving visually extends the arrival route into the building. A metal staircase and an exposed brick wall register changing patterns of light throughout the day, giving the circulation space a distinct architectural presence.
Together, the renovated house, the new building, and the retained trees form a residential ensemble shaped by both addition and continuity. The project accommodates new homes through an arrangement that keeps the existing architecture and established landscape integral to the site.
Project details
Project: BELL BELL
Location: City Bell, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Architecture: Joaquín Oleastro Serra Arq.
Status: Completed
Completion year: 2023
Program: 24 homes: 3 residences within the original house and 21 apartments in the new building
Site area: 2,600 m²
Total built area: 3,800 m², including the original house, the new building, and the basement
Structural system of the new building: Reinforced concrete
Principal materials: Exposed concrete, exposed brick, wood, and metal
Work to existing property: Retention and conversion of the original house; preservation of existing trees
Photography and renderings: Joaquín Oleastro Serra Arq.
