Bridging the Gap: The Greenhouse that Became a Home

The Future of Sustainable Living: Unveiling the Magic of the Living Greenhouse

In the realm of innovative architecture, a standout structure known as the Living Greenhouse emerges in a lush setting in El Carmen, Peru. Designed by SalazarSequeroMedina, this elegantly positioned volume at the intersection of agricultural and domestic spheres, seamlessly combines a greenhouse and an outdoor living room. Its thoughtful construction and design highlights a captivating fusion of indoor plant life and outdoor human activity. A remarkable advancement in architectural design, this livable greenhouse does more than just blend two different worlds – it entwines them in an extraordinary symbiosis. The outcome? A microclimate that tempers the open living space all year round. Fresh fruit travels directly from the branch to your table; nurturing hands extend to care for vibrant leaves. It’s not just about living beside nature, but living with nature.

But there’s more to this marvel than the ingenious pairing of function and aesthetics. This livable greenhouse, with its well-grounded gaze, pays homage to the roadside vernacular architectures of its surroundings. It resonates with the raw, untamed charm of an ‘add-on,’ evoking images of a countryside veranda, awning, or overbuild – a little wobbly perhaps, but inherently indispensable. It breathes life into shading, ventilation, daylight, and modulation strategies, crafting an inviting dwelling from seemingly chaotic elements.

A livable greenhouse built to stand up to the test of time.

The durability of the livable greenhouse is undisputed. It lays its trust in solid, monolithic objects for its floors, walls, and chimney, built to defy the ravages of time. At two meters high, a robust brick plinth presents a steady base line for functional elements. But here’s the truly astonishing part: this elegant structure is crafted from “ladrillo recocho,” or overcooked bricks. These are repurposed clinker bricks, salvaged over months from discarded local kiln stock – an appreciable nod towards sustainability.

Above the sturdy foundation floats an elemental metal structure, resembling a celestial constellation. Its diaphanous design and modest scale lend it an almost ethereal sense of lightness and transmutability. Crafted from the remnants of local agricultural infrastructure, this metal assemblage could one day morph into a different form, playing out a multitude of roles in this magnificent architectural narrative.

The studio‘s livable greenhouse isn’t just an architectural gem. This project is a revelation, a vision of the future where nature and human life coalesce in awe-inspiring harmony. As it paves the way for innovative design concepts, it reminds us of our intrinsic connection with the natural world. In the heart of this architectural wonder, life finds a rhythm, a balance, and most importantly, a home. Photography © Ivan Salinero.