Skip to content

Audio Version

See more about

More info

Architects: José Cubilla
Location: Asunción, Paraguay
Area: 650 m2
Year: 2021
Photography: Luis Ayala, Federico Cairoli

Valois Building: Rammed Earth Construction

The Residential Building is incorporated seamlessly into the neighborhood of Las Mercedes, a small-scale residential area in Asunción that is undergoing a transformation and densification process. It is built on a small plot (8.40 m x 25 m) and aims to operate with the greatest respect in a consolidated residential area, characterized by surroundings of brick and greenery.

The construction is simple and honest, using rammed earth as a basic material. The idea is to introduce this construction system, usually perceived as rural or vernacular, as an urban possibility. The design proposes new possibilities for dwelling, understanding the climatic complexities of the subtropics and attending to specific pertinent socio-cultural characteristics, while recognizing the importance of the participation and collaboration of artisans and master builders who are knowledgeable about the technique.

The building design is based on a central box with a series of windows that perforate the façade. A generous setback gives the neighborhood a public space as a cordial gesture. The apartments, separated by the stairwell, culminate in a terrace that offers views of the neighborhood, the sky, the Chaco landscape, and the Paraguay River.

The rammed-earth structure is detached from the property line with an open and ventilated gallery, covered with a metal mesh that acts as a green veil and light filter. Various species of native plants climb the structure, providing a natural screen. In addition to contributing flowers and aromas to the neighborhood, it protects the building from the sun and rain while generating an attractive, shaded intermediate space. These well-ventilated spaces enable lighting conditions towards the Northeast that are ideal for everyday activities.

One of the main goals was to minimize the impact on a traditional neighborhood in Asunción.

Architects: José Cubilla
Location: Asunción, Paraguay
Area: 650 m2
Year: 2021
Photography: Luis Ayala, Federico Cairoli

urbanNext (December 8, 2024) Valois Building: Rammed Earth Construction. Retrieved from https://urbannext.net/valois-building/.
Valois Building: Rammed Earth Construction.” urbanNext – December 8, 2024, https://urbannext.net/valois-building/
urbanNext April 19, 2023 Valois Building: Rammed Earth Construction., viewed December 8, 2024,<https://urbannext.net/valois-building/>
urbanNext – Valois Building: Rammed Earth Construction. [Internet]. [Accessed December 8, 2024]. Available from: https://urbannext.net/valois-building/
Valois Building: Rammed Earth Construction.” urbanNext – Accessed December 8, 2024. https://urbannext.net/valois-building/
Valois Building: Rammed Earth Construction.” urbanNext [Online]. Available: https://urbannext.net/valois-building/. [Accessed: December 8, 2024]

urbanNext
urbanNext | expanding architecture to rethink cities and territories

Newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter

Search
Generic filters
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Search in excerpt
Formats
Audio&visual
Concept
Data
Essay
Forum
Lecture
Podcast
Project
Talk
Survey
Statement
Selfthink
High Density
Middle Density
Low Density
No Density

talk

essay

project

product

survey

data

all formats