Results: La Juanita

TerraViva has officially released the complete list of awarded projects of the architecture contest entitled “La Juanita”.

This competition invited architects and designers to envision a contemporary home harmoniously embedded in the stunning riverside landscape of Paraná, Argentina. The challenge was to create a permanent residence for a family of four, designed with flexibility to host guests while fostering a deep connection with nature. Participants were encouraged to reflect on the essence of an Argentine home today, balancing comfort, functionality, and environmental sensitivity. The project sought innovative yet contextually appropriate solutions that embrace local materials, passive design strategies and a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience.

The winning proposals distinguished themselves through thoughtful architectural approaches that integrated the built environment with the natural landscape. Some projects captivated the jury with their delicate balance of tradition and modernity, skillfully combining different building methods. Others focused on spatial fluidity, preserving existing vegetation and crafting a harmonious relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces. By thoughtfully manipulating light, shading, and materiality, the designers created homes that interact dynamically with their surroundings. Across diverse architectural languages, these projects offered innovative responses to site conditions, cultural heritage and sustainable construction principles.

Terraviva congratulates all participants for their creativity, dedication and valuable contributions to this competition.

The winners were selected by an international jury panel composed by:

- Giancarlo Mazzanti (Bogotá, Colombia) | El Equipo Mazzanti
- Virginia Theilig (Rosario, Argentina) | FAPyD
- Luciana Lembo (Buenos Aires, Argentina) | Adamo-Faiden
- Diego Arraigada (Rosario, Argentina) | Diego Arraigada Arquitectos
- Alejandro Puente (Quito, Equador) | PESA
- Sara Alves (Barcelona, Spain) | TWOBO Arquitectos
- Loris L. Perillo (Basel, Switzerland) | Commisura
- Tongtong Zhang (Los Angeles, USA) | RIOS

_________________________________________________________________

1st Prize

Parana’s Refuge / New ruralities
Mora Linares, Victoria Cantoli, Camila Gabrielli, Gabriel Huarte, Leticia Virguez Lalli
Argentina

The project is based on the typology of a rural house from the Pampas region, where the peri-domestic activities inherent to rural work are scattered across the land and are independent of domestic activities. The proposal presents an integrated system composed of the house and follies that are arranged within the landscape, connected by a walkway that traverses the terrain and leads to a dock on the Paraná River.

The system functions as a climatic and ecological organism, where the built elements for human activities responsibly embrace the natural landscape and its biodiversity. The follies include a garden, compost, an area for the growth of spontaneous vegetation fueled by nutrients from the biological filter, a natural pool, an observation deck, a gathering area with a fire pit, a biological bathroom, an outdoor shower, and a car storage space built on the foundation of the pre-existing house.

The house stands as a slender structure, nestled between the existing trees, elevated above the ground to avoid disrupting the growth of native vegetation. Its placement is designed to approach the highest point of the land, with the exterior gallery facing the elevated section, creating a tension with the topography at the access point.

The materials consist primarily of wood and metal, proposing a dry, modular construction system that allows for quick and non-invasive assembly. The structure is based on a grid composed of metal trusses, round-section columns, and two Vierendeel beams in the upper section, which form the central core of the project.

The central core, which organizes the space, houses the wet areas of the house while also functioning as an intelligent element for climate control and fluid management. It features a Canadian well cooling system, rainwater collection and recovery, a biological water tank, solar panels for energy capture, and a biological filter that decants into the soil, enriching the garden and compost with minerals.

Its architecture reinterprets the typical country gallery by proposing a system of windows and sunshades that, when fully opened, transform the entire house into a semi-covered gallery.

_________________________________________

About the First Prize – Loris L. Perillo – Commisura
“The house merges two seemingly distant morphological models flawlessly: the plinth house and the stilt house. Anchored by a central core that serves as its structural base, the project unfolds as a timber volume, braced by a series of slender pillars that stabilize and connect it to the ground. By minimizing both structural mass and excavation, the design creates a beautiful sequence of open, fluid spaces bathed in natural light from a skylight that ensures soft, diffuse illumination from above. The choice to resolve the façade with adjustable shading elements is particularly compelling, allowing for a fully open configuration that strengthens the seamless dialogue between the house and its surrounding landscape.”

About the First Prize – Luciana Lembo – Adamo-Faiden
“The project captures the spirit of rural Argentine homes, with their distinctive galleries and the integration of the landscape through small pavilions that extend the domestic space into the surroundings. By drawing from historical traditions and incorporating local resources, the proposal not only honors cultural heritage but also prioritizes sustainability and economical use of materials. The result is a thoughtfully presented design with a perfect approach to technical aspects.”

_________________________________________________________________

2nd Prize

entre raíces
Gianluca Zangari, Gabriele Rognoni
Italy

Nestled among trees, a portico exists where its rhythm harmonizes with nature. From its initial concept, the project has adopted a philosophy where architecture is intricately linked to nature, embracing its unique characteristics to shape the house’s living space. Building “Entre raíces” or “in-between roots” signifies the dual meaning of connecting with the site through nature, as well as the Argentine architectural tradition of countryside dwellings known as “Quinta.”

The structure of the building is sculpted by the trees, creating volumes that occupy the voids within the landscape. In addition, the sloped terrain defines the domestic areas, featuring a series of covered terraces that flow with the topography, while the layout of the entire building is organized through a crosswise promenade interspersed with various steps. Combined with the site’s warm climate, these features blur the line between indoor and outdoor environments, leading to an essential interaction among humanity, architecture, and nature. By incorporating a glass facade, the building engages in a dialogue of reflections and transparencies with its surroundings, merging the concepts of indoor and outdoor spaces into a hybrid semi-enclosed portico.

Inspired by the traditional features of the Argentine “quincho,” an open-air roofed space, the entire house transforms into a haven for outdoor living, enabling the living areas to fully open up to the exterior. This approach leads to numerous architectural solutions such as sliding elements and folding partitions that, in conjunction with the wooden framework of the building, promote visual and textural coherence with the surroundings.

The sleeping quarters and service areas are designed as contrasting elements: a collection of solid, enclosed volumes rests beneath the extensive roof, while also offering an unobstructed view of the river landscape. The connections are designed in harmony with the natural slope, featuring a series of small steps and terraces that extend from the internal living area to the outdoor swimming pool.

_________________________________________

About the 2nd Prize – Virginia Theilig – FAPyD
“Sensitive to its surroundings, the design preserves existing vegetation while seamlessly integrating into the area, ensuring all spaces maintain a strong connection with the river. Its austere yet precise materiality harmonizes with both the natural environment and Argentina’s cultural context.”

_________________________________________________________________

3rd Prize

River Veil House
Matias Fidel Moyano, Julieta Derdoy
Argentina

Perched on the undulating terrain of Paraná, Argentina, this house emerges where the land gently meets the river, embracing the natural rhythms. The river is ever-present, its breeze carrying the scent of damp earth and flowering trees, its quiet murmur echoing through the spaces. Veils of foliage filter the sun, casting moving shadows on wood and stone.

River Veil House is a home shaped by its landscape, a place where nature lingers, drifts, and is always near.

“We begin our descent, following the natural slope of the land until an opening reveals itself—an invitation, a quiet threshold. Stepping through, we arrive at a patio, a pause between worlds. From here, the path splits: a wooden door welcomes us inside, or we can continue outside, tracing the edge of the pool as it stretches toward the river and is partially covered to keep the water fresh during the intense summers..

Beyond, a grand balcony unfolds, merging with the woods, dissolving boundaries. Entering, we are embraced by warmth—a feeling of home, of belonging. The social space breathes with the landscape, open, fluid, alive. A quiet passage draws us deeper. Soft steps lead to the sleeping quarters, where overhead light filters down, a gentle reminder of calm, of rest.

A second horizontal volume, discreet and introspective, holds the private spaces. It does not seek the distant view but turns inward, cradling a small zen patio—a retreat within the retreat.

And at the heart of it all, the barbecue place, perched like a balcony over the river. More than a space, it is a ritual where fire, conversation, and mate bring life to the house, a celebration of time, of place, of Argentine soul.”

_________________________________________

About the 3rd Prize – Giancarlo Mazzanti – El Equipo Mazzanti
“Establishes a strong connection with nature through open, transitional spaces. A diverse interplay of patios and gathering areas fosters engagement with the landscape on both small and large scales. The raw materiality and tectonic expression respond to the site, climate, and river, embracing water in its various states.”

_________________________________________________________________

Golden Mention

House of Lulling Heights
Thakan Navapakpilai, San Yoon
Thailand – South Korea

The house rests gently on the hill of La Juanita, Parana, lulling within the swarm of trees, overlooking the lake. Reverencing the idea behind “back to the land” movement that influenced the region of La Juanita, the roof becomes an important part for form-finding and concept of rural Argentinian living, as it follows the natural slope of the hill. Lifestyle of the family of four, including parents and two children, living in the house of lulling heights derives from the simple idea – how to live within the hill.

‘A gentle vertical stroll’ is what defines the lived experience of the hill. Naturally, the core of the house is designed as a main circulation space where the family walk up and down to different rooms. Each floor they land showcases distinct privacy in relationship to openness towards nature – sky, trees, and river. The porosity of the roof build-up allows a variety of sunlight, while presenting the scene of surrounding nature, leading to a dynamic experience of the weather and season. Cowbirds looking for food over the roof on a warm spring morning, pitter patter of rain hitting the surface on a hot summer afternoon, leaves shedding over during the evening of fall, twinkle of snowflakes when you wake up in the winter morning… These experiences of movement and nature combined define life within the hill.

The first floor, as you walk in through the front door, is the most private area. Two single bedrooms for children and the master bedroom are open towards the sky, assuring the serenity. Each bedroom is affiliated with an outdoor terrace that can open to the living room downstairs. There are other supportive spaces on this floor such as a theater or guest bedroom for expandable uses.

Next floor showcases the open living room associated with kitchen and dining area surrounded by trees seen through the roof. The family can host a gathering in this space, as this space features a large sunken couch, 14-people wooden table along with a wine storage that houses boasting collection of regional Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. During normal times, the family can soak in a serene moment lying down on the couch and glazing at swaying trees. Sometimes, parents can call out children in their upper floor bedroom when the food is ready.

The lowest floor is a semi-outdoor space showcasing the pool and a barbeque area that physically connects to the surrounding nature. The panoramic view of the lake through the horizontal pool that fully extends to the width of the house marks the finale of the experience at the house of lulling heights. As we walk over the steppingstones on the pool and a gentle pool garden that blends into the front lawn, we are going back to nature with the hint of a river breeze.

_________________________________________________________________

Golden Mention

Entre materia, luz y paisaje
Thomas Navarro, Alessandro Tabita, Esteban Peytou, Tiago Ferandes Gomes
France

Anchored in a contextual approach based on territorial analysis, this project is part of an architectural strategy that seeks to minimize its topographical footprint while enhancing the relationship between the built space and the vast landscape. Perched on a site overlooking the Paraná River—the second largest in Latin America—near the fishing village of La Juanita and 26 km from the city of Paraná, it structures a spatial experience where protection and openness coexist. Its U-shaped layout frames landscape views while responding to site constraints: pronounced topography to the west and neighboring properties to the north and east. A protective enclosing wall, with few openings, ensures privacy while anchoring the project within a centrality that extends toward the landscape.

The morphological arrangement is based on an aggregation of volumes interconnected by patios, optimizing bioclimatic management. The resulting form allows for a seamless integration into the site and its natural context, while the use of split levels ensures a smooth adaptation to the existing topography. A semi-covered exterior circulation route maintains spatial continuity and connects the different volumes in all seasons, even in rainy weather.

The programmatic organization follows a clear hierarchy of uses and intimacy levels. A service strip along the enclosing wall houses secondary spaces and wet areas, freeing up the main living areas. The master suite, set back, preserves privacy while remaining connected to communal spaces. The children’s bedrooms, adjacent to one another, encourage interaction, while the guest room, designed as an independent module, enhances functional flexibility.

The entrance sequence is conceived as a gradual staging of the landscape, playing with thresholds and visual porosity. From the access point, a carefully designed path guides the visitor through the site, progressively unveiling the horizon of the Paraná River. This immersive approach gives architecture a mediating role between individuals and their environment, going beyond mere domestic functionality to offer an enriched sensory experience.

The layout follows a rigorous bioclimatic logic: the main block, oriented north-south, maximizes solar gains in winter while limiting summer overheating, while the sleeping areas, arranged east-west, benefit from passive thermal regulation. The use of regional materials—wood, concrete, and terracotta—ensures both contextual continuity and thermal performance. Brick, a vernacular material in Latin America, is highlighted here for its high thermal inertia, contributing to optimal comfort year-round and enhancing the quality of living.

The environmental approach is reflected in a green roof that improves rainwater retention and thermal insulation, as well as in adaptive solar protections that ensure greater energy efficiency. These passive systems optimize thermal comfort and integrate the project into a sustainable framework.

Ultimately, this project transcends conventional architectural design by exploring the interaction between dwelling and landscape. By harmonizing bioclimatic strategies, spatial articulation, and contextual integration, it exemplifies architecture as a thoughtful extension of the territory. Drawing inspiration from traditional Argentine housing, where the boundary between indoors and outdoors dissolves, the design fosters a fluid spatial continuity, where indoor living naturally extends into the outdoors.

_________________________________________________________________