Set in the El Bajo neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, near the dramatic San Isidro ravines, Casa Los Cardos is a family home that challenges the idea of pristine, untouchable interiors. Designed by Melazza Mobili for a young couple with two small children, the residence places daily life at the centre of its design — prioritising comfort, durability and warmth without compromising architectural clarity.
The nearly 300m² home is anchored by a restrained architectural framework by Matías Goyenechea, defined by clean lines and the honest use of concrete. Against this robust base, the interior introduces a tactile, luminous counterpoint that softens geometry while maintaining precision. The result is a house that feels composed yet welcoming, modern yet deeply liveable.
At the heart of the design is a commitment to continuity over fragmentation. Large-format Italian porcelain tiles run seamlessly throughout the social areas, creating a unified surface reminiscent of polished cement. This decision enhances brightness, simplifies maintenance and allows the home to be read as a coherent whole rather than a series of separate rooms. A deliberately reduced colour palette — fewer colours, more textures — ensures that spaces flow effortlessly into one another.
Wood plays a central role in shaping the home’s atmosphere. White oak lines interior spaces and the gallery ceiling, reinforcing visual and sensory continuity. Where more density is required, such as the Derto console behind the sofa and the Breta dining table, charred wood adds depth while discreetly concealing integrated technology. These darker elements avoid unnecessary colour while introducing richness and control.
Lighting further softens the architectural language. Forma rattan lamps, designed by Melazza Mobili, are suspended at varying heights to introduce an organic rhythm that contrasts with the home’s linear geometry. Over time, the consistency between materials, finishes and functions allows the house to gain character rather than wear.
In the kitchen, the principle of “practical beauty” comes to the fore. Taj Mahal-style porcelain surfaces are chosen for their resistance to stains and heavy use, freeing the family from unnecessary concern. Glass shelving displays carefully selected objects, while concealed storage maintains order without constant styling. Continuous flooring enhances the sense of space, while nautical polypropylene rugs in the living area add warmth and durability suited to family life.
Custom-designed furniture reinforces the home’s sense of flow. In the study, a curved wooden volume offsets the symmetry of the window and echoes the form of the dining table, acting as a bridge between work and social spaces. The clients’ request for a limited number of furniture types — such as Carpano stools used both indoors and outdoors — supports visual calm and reinforces continuity.
This approach extends outdoors to the gallery, where a circular opening frames an existing tree, highlighting the dialogue between curved furniture and linear ceiling rhythms. The semi-covered bar mirrors interior materials, combining charred wood with a Brazilian black granite countertop finished in leather texture. Designed to respond to local climate conditions, outdoor pieces develop a natural patina that reinforces durability as a core value.
Natural light is carefully modulated throughout the home using blinds that balance reflection and privacy. As evening falls, generous glazing frames the garden, softening the transition between inside and out. The same material restraint carries through to the bedrooms and bathrooms, where calm palettes, noble textiles and clean planes support a tranquil family rhythm.
Casa Los Cardos encapsulates Melazza Mobili’s refined methodology: continuity over isolated gestures, textures over colour, and a deep respect for materials that age gracefully. Here, beauty emerges not as decoration, but as the natural result of a system designed around living well.
Credits
Images: Courtesy of Melazza Mobili
