Modular Solutions for Densifying Córdoba

This flexible housing concept proposes a compact, modular construction system designed to address the growing demand for affordable urban housing in areas where land is both scarce and costly—particularly in central Córdoba, Argentina. Starting at 64m² and expandable up to 128m² across four development stages, the design provides a practical and scalable model for increasing density on small, underutilised plots.

The housing units are conceived with adaptability at their core. By intentionally avoiding rigid spatial hierarchies, the layout accommodates a wide range of users and life stages—from single occupants to multigenerational families. Its modularity also enables it to adapt to various urban morphologies, offering a solution that is context-sensitive, replicable, and suitable for fragmented city centres throughout Latin America.

Design and Environmental Strategy

Beyond its spatial efficiency, the project exemplifies sustainable urban design. The final configuration of each unit incorporates a suite of passive and active environmental strategies. These include solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, a green roof, and enhanced thermal comfort features—all aimed at reducing energy demand and operating costs.

Timber is used as the primary construction material, chosen not only for its renewable nature but also for its low embodied carbon, contributing to a minimal construction footprint. These integrated environmental features complement the project's infill strategy, allowing it to densify existing urban areas with minimal impact on the land—an increasingly urgent challenge in sustainable city-building.

Recognition and Relevance

The Holcim Awards jury enthusiastically endorsed the project for its intelligent contribution to urban regeneration in Córdoba. It was particularly praised for its strategic focus on fragmented, difficult-to-develop parcels in historic city centres—sites often overlooked in conventional planning.

In a region where informal sprawl often dominates urban expansion, this project offers a hopeful counterpoint: a dignified, climate-conscious, and community-oriented approach to densification. It demonstrates how thoughtful design can do more than meet immediate housing needs—it can inspire systemic change and serve as a blueprint for sustainable development in similar contexts across Latin America.

Although infill development is not a novel strategy for urban growth, the Holcim Awards jury in Latin America was particularly impressed by the sustainable features of this project, which make it a groundbreaking proposal in the Argentine context. The building’s bioclimatic strategies are thoughtfully integrated, and the use of wood was seen as both bold and appealing. The flexible and intelligent internal layout allows the prototype to adapt to diverse life dynamics—another key strength. Overall, the jury unanimously recognised the project’s potential to offer, particularly for families, a compelling new model for repopulating the urban core.