Tribe House is the result of a comprehensive renovation of a 263 square metre home located within a 12-unit residential complex designed in 1977 by Colombian modernist architects Camacho and Guerrero. The original architecture is defined by clarity of structure, restrained material use, and an inward-looking spatial organisation. Rather than replacing these qualities, the project set out to extend their relevance, adapting the house to present-day family life while preserving its essential lines and proportions.
The intervention was guided by a measured approach: to work with what already existed, retaining valuable architectural elements and upgrading the building’s performance where needed. This strategy reduced material waste and reinforced the continuity between past and present.
A programme designed for everyday living
The renovated layout accommodates a primary bedroom with walk-in wardrobe and ensuite bathroom, two additional bedrooms, a shared bathroom, a living and dining area, powder room, home office, laundry, and a series of patios that structure the house internally. These outdoor rooms are not residual spaces, but active elements that support ventilation, daylight, and everyday use. Spatial organisation avoids hierarchy. Rooms are defined by function rather than status, allowing the home to adapt as family needs evolve over time.
Designing for the other
Beyond accommodating a family of people, the house was intentionally designed for what the project describes as ‘the other’: pets, plants, and natural processes. This perspective shaped decisions at every scale, from the integration of vegetation into interior spaces to the selection of durable, low-maintenance materials suited to daily wear.
Landscaping is woven into the architecture through patios and planted areas that allow the house to grow and change. This approach reduces the separation between inside and outside while supporting biodiversity and improving indoor environmental quality.
Light as a shared resource
One of the project’s core principles was the generous use of natural light. Openings and internal courtyards were carefully considered to bring daylight deep into the plan, creating bright, evenly lit spaces without privileging one area over another. This strategy reduces reliance on artificial lighting and reinforces a sense of spatial equality throughout the house.
Reuse, continuity, and material restraint
The interior design was developed around the homeowners’ existing furniture, allowing each piece to retain its history while contributing to a cohesive whole. This reuse strategy limited unnecessary consumption and grounded the project in personal narrative rather than trend-driven finishes.
A key challenge was establishing dialogue between architectural elements more than forty years old and contemporary interventions. This was achieved through restrained detailing and a consistent material palette that allows old and new to coexist without imitation.
