PH El Salvador

From the outset, the project recognized the qualities and limitations of this small fragment of the urban fabric: a row-house unit measuring just 7.50 x 12.00 m, located at the heart of the block. Faced with a program that far exceeded the possibilities of the site, the project sought to preserve the footprint of the original PH house while responding to new demands for light, comfort, and low maintenance.

Bounded by four party walls and a limited floor area, the decision to create an interior courtyard became the alma mater of the project. The house is organized vertically around it, seeking air, natural light, and private views, and culminating in a swimming pool suspended above the roof.

The material choices follow the same logic: a glazed inner skin contrasts with a solid outer skin, reinforcing the idea of an inhabitable pavilion. The intention to “make the structure disappear” helped strengthen the sensation of “a floating pool” above the interior spaces. Reinforced concrete, steel, glass, and refractory brick are used in their most direct expression, together with elements recovered from the original house.

The program reverses the traditional layout: private areas are located on the ground floor, while public spaces occupy the upper level in search of greater height, light, and views. Circulation follows the courtyard vertically up to the terraces and pool.

Sustainable decisions include double glazing, energy-controlled climate systems, water-saving fixtures, and a low-maintenance pool. The project thus seeks to balance the memory of the existing house with a contemporary intervention, preserving its original footprint while creating a new way of inhabiting it.