OJA - Organic and Joyful Architecture - Casa Gallareta Villa La Angostura - Argentina

2025-04-15

Juan Segundo Díaz Dopazo grew up in Patagonia and later moved to Buenos Aires to study architecture, where he met María Ayelén Olivieri Martinez. He had always known he would eventually return to the south. Patagonia, for him, is a truly special place—its untouched landscapes are unlike any other. What he never imagined was the opportunity to design a series of cabins for his own parents, right in the heart of an Arrayanes forest.

The project involved the creation of a boutique-scale tourist complex (250 m²) within a native forest of Coihues and Arrayanes, on steep terrain with stunning views and direct access to the shores of Lake Correntoso—an incredibly peaceful and natural setting. Their proposal consisted of modular “landscape cabins” for two to three guests, conceived as just another element of the forest. Each cabin blends into its surroundings with a sense of controlled randomness—sharing a common architectural language, yet featuring subtle variations that give each one a unique identity.

The cabins were carefully placed in natural clearings where no trees needed to be cut down, staying true to their core objective: to create an architecture that coexists harmoniously with the forest. Despite their compact footprint, the cabins offer a captivating spatial experience—dissolving the boundaries between the interior and the surrounding forest.

Each unit is designed as a single open space, split across half-levels and punctuated by large, strategically positioned windows. These openings extend the sense of space outward and allow the dense Myrtle canopy to provide both privacy and immersion in nature. This approach also fosters intimacy between each volume and the communal areas of the complex.

The bathrooms are spacious and comfortable. The largest cabin features a freestanding tub with panoramic views—inviting guests to enjoy a hot bath while watching the snowfall through the window. The architects anticipated the project's logistical challenges: a narrow, sloped site densely populated with trees. To address this, they opted for dry construction atop reinforced concrete foundations, requiring precise and efficient planning.

Externally, the cabins feature a rugged, rocky morphology clad in eucalyptus wood, treated with the ancient Japanese technique Shou Sugi Ban. This method—charring the wood’s surface—creates a unique texture and improves water resistance, fire retardancy, sustainability, and durability. The blackened wood serves as a backdrop that highlights the green of the trees and the white of the snow. Lapacho wood (a cinnamon-colored hardwood reminiscent of the Arrayanes), glass, black metalwork, and exposed concrete were used as complementary materials.

Inside, a single material dominates: Guatambú wood. Light in color and knot-free, it contrasts sharply with the dark exterior and enhances the sense of spaciousness. Used in large panels, it provided both aesthetic value and construction efficiency.

All interior furniture is crafted from the same wood, resulting in a clean, monolithic design that visually blends furniture and wall, reinforcing a minimalist and cohesive aesthetic. Today, the architects proudly reflect on a project that has touched the hearts of all who have visited the Landscape Cabins. The work has also received international recognition through multiple nominations, awards, and publications.

About OJA (Organic & Joyful Architecture)

OJA (Organic & Joyful Architecture) is a young, visionary architecture firm based in Patagonia, Argentina, founded by the architect couple Juan Segundo Díaz Dopazo and María Ayelén Olivieri Martínez.

Specializing in residential and hospitality design, OJA redefines contemporary luxury by embracing nature and essence as fundamental elements that enrich and elevate architecture.

Photo credit: Juan Segundo Diaz Dopazo - Carlos Uliambre - Nacho Ballester - Abril Roffo