This seamless indoor-outdoor transition captures the essence of the biophilic design. A recessed, minimal living space with neutral furnishings opens onto a wide terrace overlooking the lush valley. The shadow cast by the distinctive, Brutalist perforated concrete canopy defines the cool interior, linking the architectural envelope to the expansive vista.

Brutal Honesty: OF. Studio’s Poetic Bastion in the Andean Foothills

Words by Eric David

Mendoza, Argentina

Brutalism in its purest sense is defined by raw concrete, structural honesty, monumental presence, and an intimate dialogue with the landscape. Brutal Honesty, a house at the foothills of the Andes in Argentina by London-based OF. Studio, ticks every one of these boxes, and yet it feels entirely its own. Eschewing the rigid geometries typically associated with the style, instead it embraces curvaceous walls, rounded corners, and softened edges that lend the project a poetic, almost fantastical sensibility. The result is a structure that is both rooted in Brutalism’s ethos and liberated from its orthodoxy.

A dramatic close-up highlights the powerful interplay of exposed raw concrete masses. The sloping, solid wall anchors the structure to the earth, while the cantilevered roof section above features rhythmic, exposed ribs. This composition emphasizes the Brutalist commitment to material honesty and tectonic expression against a soft twilight sky.

Photography by Luis Abba.

The massive, tapered concrete supporting structure of the Brutalist house rises through dense foliage under a clear twilight sky. The cantilevered canopy, with its geometric voids, shelters a suspended metal staircase, where a person is seen. This composition dramatically juxtaposes the earth-hued, imposing architecture with the organic, wild greenery.

Photography by Luis Abba.

The Brutalist structure, partially hidden by dense hillside foliage, demonstrates a strong biophilic connection. The earthy-toned raw concrete base appears like a natural, fortified extension of the hill. Above, the repeating modules of the geometric, perforated roof cast linear shadows, emphasizing the architecture's rhythmic, layered quality.

Photography by Luis Abba.

An expansive aerial shot showcases the full Brutalist composition by OF Studio, appearing like a sculpted pavilion emerging from the Andes terrain. The robust, earth-colored concrete mass is meticulously detailed with geometric flat roof sections and integrated linear planters. The structure asserts its presence while harmonizing with the surrounding dense, rugged greenery.

Photography by Luis Abba.

A high-contrast aerial shot captures the complex geometric rhythm of the upper roof and terraces at sunrise or sunset. The light-toned stone surfaces and repeating, rounded concrete planters contrast sharply with the shadowed, dense greenery below. This detail emphasizes the architects' sophisticated, modular approach to outdoor space and planting.

Photography by Luis Abba.

For OF. Studio’s founders, Valentina Cerrone and Sebastián Andia, the project carries an additional layer of meaning. Both born and raised in the province of Mendoza where the project is located, designing in their native landscape gave them the chance to merge professional ambition with personal memory. This is also their first built work which makes it not only a milestone for the studio, but a kind of homecoming: a monumental gesture rooted in the very same soil that shaped them.

Perched on a hillside overlooking the Andean desert mountains and an oasis below, the house negotiates its site with remarkable sensitivity. Not a single tree was removed during construction, while the earth-toned concrete, developed through meticulous on-site testing, is in perfect harmony with the surrounding rocky terrain. The structure itself seems to rise organically from the slope, while at the same time asserting a new, distinctly architectural identity, which the design team calls “OF. Abstract Nature.” Shaped by the contours of the land, its polygonal footprint, inclined walls and rounded corners recall the defensive geometry of a bastion fort, albeit reimagined as something at once futuristic and primeval.

A low-angle shot captures the dramatic, tapered concrete supporting columns of the Brutalist structure, appearing rooted in the rocky terrain. A figure stands on a cantilevered metal staircase, bridging the monumental architecture and the wild foreground foliage. The composition showcases the scale and the interplay of massive vertical supports and floating horizontal planes.

Photography by Luis Abba.

  • The rugged, desert-like foreground, scattered with cacti and native grasses, leads the eye up to the imposing Brutalist house. A figure, dressed in light clothes, navigates the natural incline. The sheer, curving concrete walls of the structure emerge from the earth, emphasizing its role as a powerful, yet integrated, intervention in the landscape.

    Photography by Luis Abba.

  • The Brutalist structure is glimpsed through a thicket of arid-climate vegetation, including tall cacti and slender trees. The composition emphasizes the biophilic blending of architecture with the natural environment. The textured foreground of wild growth contrasts with the distant, solid, yet subtly textured concrete mass nestled into the hillside.

    Photography by Luis Abba.

  • A low-angle view captures a person ascending the steep, rocky slope toward the house, highlighting the structure's immense scale and its connection to the raw terrain. The sweeping, tapered raw concrete wall meets the geometric, cantilevered roofline. The dense, unruly scrubland creates a vital, natural barrier against the imposing Brutalist form.

    Photography by Luis Abba.

The Brutalist house is discreetly nestled atop a rugged hill, viewed through a screen of dense, native vegetation. The heavy, geometric concrete masses of the upper level seem to float above the wild green foreground. A figure is just visible on the patio, suggesting the intentional communion between the architectural refuge and the untamed nature.

Photography by Luis Abba.

The main entrance is a study in material contrasts and curves. Winding concrete paths lead to an inviting, recessed doorway clad in warm vertical wood slats, interrupting the monolithic, earthy-toned raw concrete façade. The strong geometric forms of the Brutalist overhang are softened by surrounding native arid-zone plants and a side staircase carved into the wall.

Photography by Luis Abba.

An abstract overhead view highlights the precise, geometric composition of the exterior paths and planters. The Brutalist design uses smooth, light-colored concrete in curved rectangular shapes to frame the landscaping. A secondary path of reddish, textured concrete strips cuts across the lawn, establishing a dynamic interplay of tone and form.

Photography by Luis Abba.

An upward-looking composition emphasizes the bold tectonic quality of the Brutalist architecture. The repetitive, rounded rectangular voids in the overhead concrete beams create a rhythmic pattern against the stark blue sky. The lightweight, angular metal staircase contrasts sharply with the massive, rough concrete, demonstrating structural and material tension.

Photography by Luis Abba.

This intimate ground-level view captures the seamless biophilic integration of the Brutalist structure. A canopy of native trees filters the sunlight through the exposed concrete ceiling and open metal trellis. The rough, earthy-toned concrete walls frame a garden of low-water plants, emphasizing the authenticity of the material and its connection to the Argentinian terrain.

Photography by Luis Abba.

An elegant dining space juxtaposes the raw textures of exposed concrete walls and ceiling with the warmth of a solid timber table and leather chairs. A recessed horizontal window acts as a framed view into the home's outer circulation, while large glass sliders open the space directly to the rugged exterior landscape, emphasizing transparency and material honesty.

Photography by Luis Abba.

The open-plan kitchen and dining area features a palette of raw concrete ceilings and reddish-toned walls, softened by natural light. An oversized timber dining table, matching the concrete extractor hood's robust form, anchors the space. Expansive black-framed windows provide continuous, sweeping views of the verdant exterior, balancing the Brutalist interior.

Photography by Luis Abba.

A calm moment within a sheltered, linear inner courtyard or planter. A person sits near a large glass window, looking into the small garden space with a central tree and tropical foliage. The raw, textured, reddish concrete walls and natural light create a soulful, meditative atmosphere, merging internal habitation with curated nature.

Photography by Luis Abba.

Two massive, tapering concrete elements define the composition, highlighting the honest expression of structure inherent in Brutalist design. A figure stands on a narrow balcony beneath the cantilevered, voided roof structure, providing a sense of scale and vulnerability against the backdrop of imposing, raw material and the sun-drenched valley beyond.

Photography by Luis Abba.

A powerful wide-angle view captures the simple, yet dramatic, gesture of the concrete retaining wall cutting across the hillside. A figure sits at the edge of the wall, gazing at the lush, distant valley, emphasizing the scale and the serene isolation. The raw concrete form acts as a viewing platform, integrating the architecture with the expansive vista.

Photography by Luis Abba.

A high-angle perspective shows a person enjoying a recessed, private terrace framed by the distinctive, rounded-corner concrete perimeter. The bold, exposed structure defines the intimate space, while the view plunges into the unspoiled, deep green valley below. This composition beautifully contrasts the architecture's geometric discipline with the lush organic chaos.

Photography by Luis Abba.

Organised across two main levels, the house strikes a careful balance between communal gathering and private retreat. On the ground floor, a series of terraces project into the landscape, extending the open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area outwards with floor-to-ceiling patio doors reinforcing the seamless dialogue between inside and out. Elsewhere on this level, a playroom and four bedrooms occupy a more private wing, notionally separated from the communal core by a small courtyard, while the basement accommodates a second playroom alongside a spacious wine cellar.

Above, a sweeping rooftop terrace encircles the master suite, a study and a reading area, each enjoying privileged views of the landscape. Featuring a jacuzzi, yoga deck, sunbathing areas and planted gardens, the rooftop is conceived as a space for both retreat and contemplation. Linking these levels is perhaps the house’s most striking feature: an exterior hanging staircase. Composed of a slender metallic frame with mesh treads suspended from a fine grid of steel rods, it appears to hover in midair, offering an ethereal counterpoint to the concrete mass.

The dramatic cantilevered raw concrete roof structure, featuring geometric voids, hovers above a suspended metal staircase. This Brutalist composition contrasts the heavy material with the lightness of the perforated steps. A person stands mid-ascent, accentuating the scale and the striking immersion into the dense, vibrant green foliage of the valley below.

Photography by Luis Abba.

A figure walks along a stunning, sculptural outdoor staircase, defining the space with dynamic movement. The Brutalist ceiling slab is suspended by an array of slender vertical metal rods, creating a permeable screen for the perforated metal steps. This detail exemplifies the thoughtful play between heavy concrete and lightweight, permeable materials.

Photography by Luis Abba.

A sprawling roof terrace, paved in light-toned stone, features integrated elevated garden beds where a person tends to plants. The design uses the Brutalist structure's perimeter as a canvas for biophilic activity. The vast, flat plane of the roof provides a controlled vista over the seemingly infinite, undulating treeline.

Photography by Luis Abba.

This seamless indoor-outdoor transition captures the essence of the biophilic design. A recessed, minimal living space with neutral furnishings opens onto a wide terrace overlooking the lush valley. The shadow cast by the distinctive, Brutalist perforated concrete canopy defines the cool interior, linking the architectural envelope to the expansive vista.

Photography by Luis Abba.

This dynamic view looks across an internal courtyard toward the living spaces, emphasizing material interplay. A sculptural, curved wall of vertical wood slats contrasts sharply with the flat, exposed concrete ceiling. The glass curtain wall frames a vibrant tree, enhancing the deep connection between the architecture and the protected natural environment.

Photography by Luis Abba.

Inside, the ethos of “brutalist honesty” continues with exposed concrete surfaces and sculptural cast-in-situ volumes that integrate built-in furnishings. Natural wood cladding introduces warmth, wrapping staircases and lining walls to soften the material palette while reinforcing the connection to nature. Terrazzo floors in the communal areas provide continuity, their speckled surfaces grounding the interiors in a tactile calm. Minimalist in its aesthetic, the design pays homage to the surrounding landscape via expansive glazing frames views of the desert mountains, allowing light and shadow to animate the interiors throughout the day. The result is a home that balances austerity and intimacy, its meditative character defined as much by what it withholds as by what it reveals.

More than a house on a hill, Brutal Honesty is a sculptural negotiation between architecture and terrain, a bastion of concrete that embraces rather than dominates the site it has been built on. In OF. Studio’s hands, Brutalism becomes less about severity than sincerity, revealing itself without any embellishment, while leaving room for poetry to take root.

  • The interior space reveals a rich material contrast: the raw, horizontal concrete surfaces meet a striking, curved wooden staircase and wall paneling. The custom woodwork adds a sense of organic warmth and flow to the Brutalist structure's otherwise severe geometry. Sliding glass doors connect the polished concrete floor to the bright exterior landscape.

    Photography by Luis Abba.

  • A warm, serene interior detail showcasing a restful space defined by tactile materials. A vertical screen of smooth wooden slats creates a warm partition, contrasting with the rough concrete structure visible beyond. Sheer curtains diffuse the sunlight, emphasizing the mood of quiet contemplation and the tactile interplay of rough and smooth textures.

    Photography by Luis Abba.

An elegant interior scene showcasing the marriage of Brutalist concrete and warm wood. A sculptural, curved wooden staircase with open treads ascends next to a gallery-like corridor featuring a long planter with a tree. The natural materials, subdued lighting, and clean lines create a soulful, sophisticated flow between the levels and an intimate connection to the inner garden.

Photography by Luis Abba.

The massive, curving concrete base of the Brutalist house is bathed in the warm, intense glow of sunset, which enhances its earthy, pinkish tone. A figure stands on a secluded balcony, enjoying the view from beneath the geometric, perforated canopy. This powerful image highlights the structure's integration into the terrain, appearing like a sun-drenched, fortified cliff dwelling.

Photography by Luis Abba.

An imposing Brutalist structure by OF Studio rests on a scrubland hill in the Andes, Argentina. Its monolithic raw concrete base appears organically integrated into the landscape, contrasting with the recessed glass volume of the living level. The dramatic forms are softened by the warm, earthy glow of the sunset lighting, highlighting the structure's grounded authenticity.

Photography by Luis Abba.

A detailed aerial view reveals the modular geometry of the OF Studio residence's upper deck. The Brutalist style is expressed through planar raw concrete and a repeating pattern of rounded planter boxes, creating a rhythmic, textured roofline. A delicate metal staircase descends, linking the imposing concrete form with the surrounding arid landscape.

Photography by Luis Abba.

An encompassing aerial shot captures the complex, star-like footprint of the OF Studio structure against the rugged Andean landscape at twilight. The massive, tapering raw concrete base gives way to a geometrically precise flat roof, studded with rectangular planters. The design asserts a monumental presence while harmonizing its earthy tones with the scrubland.

Photography by Luis Abba.

Beneath the dramatic cantilever of the Brutalist roof, a deep, shaded outdoor terrace is defined by massive, slanting concrete columns. A figure is silhouetted against the vibrant orange and pink hues of the sunset, which bleeds into the surrounding forest vista. The monumental structure provides a sheltered, contemplative space to view the spectacle of nature.

Photography by Luis Abba.

A stark, evocative detail of the multi-layered Brutalist roof at sunset. The angular and rounded concrete slabs stack, creating a complex rhythm of light and shadow, and framing geometric voids. The doorway below emits a warm glow, with a silhouetted figure standing in the threshold, lending a quiet, contemplative mood to the massive structure.

Photography by Luis Abba.