Meow Meow

Forget the sprawling suburban dream; in today’s dynamic cities, the true genius lies in mastering the compact canvas. And nowhere is this more evident than in the recent transformation of a quaint, early 20th-century heritage home in Temperley, Buenos Aires. Here, interior architect Lura, alongside her husband Juan and their four-year-old son Pedro, didn’t just renovate – she redefined what’s possible within a mere 56 square meters (603 square feet).

This isn’t just about making a small space “work”; it’s about making it thrive. The mission was clear: take a traditional “caseriso” – a house with rooms circling a central patio – that had lost its way with a covered-up patio, and ignite it with light, connection, and functionality. Lura’s approach, drawing inspiration from local projects that celebrated original features, was both bold and respectful. All new materials were locally sourced, in natural colors, ensuring a seamless blend with the home’s historic soul.

The “No Rules” Manifesto: Reimagining Urban Living
Lura’s design philosophy is refreshingly simple yet profoundly impactful: “the only rule is that there are no rules”. This isn’t anarchy; it’s an empowering liberation from preconceived notions about how a kitchen, bedroom, or living room should look. The unwavering goal? Every corner had to be a “functional, cozy place full of personality”. This mindset allowed for radical, yet incredibly effective, structural changes:

Walls connecting two bedrooms? Demolished to create an expansive living area.
The kitchen and bathroom divide? Gone, resulting in a larger, more efficient kitchen.
A new indoor staircase was introduced, ingeniously tucking the bathroom underneath it.
Sleeping areas moved upstairs, transforming a tiny storage room into the main bedroom and carving out Pedro’s room from the roof terrace space.
These strategic interventions didn’t just open up the space; they revolutionized its entire flow and utility.

A Walk Through The Reinvention: Every Inch Counts
Lura’s home is a masterclass in how thoughtful design can elevate everyday living.

The Patio: The Heartbeat of the Home From the moment you step inside, the patio commands attention – Lura’s favorite feature. The original walls, stairs, doors, and even the gate remain, preserving the home’s character. The new limestone tiles, typical of traditional homes, ground the space beautifully. Practicality shines with a ledge serving as a pass-through for meals and cleverly hidden storage for cleaning supplies beneath the stairs. This isn’t just an outdoor area; it’s a central connector and a constant source of natural light.
Living & Dining: Adaptable Grandeur Two sets of doors from the patio lead into the main living zone. First, a custom-designed entryway piece discreetly hides shoes, coats, and backpacks behind closed doors, banishing clutter before it can even begin. The living and dining areas merge into one large, open room with impressive high ceilings, revealed by stripping away old drop ceilings to expose vaulted brick. Original pine floors and ‘seta’ doors were kept, while plaster was painstakingly removed from walls to showcase their raw texture. A custom-made modular sofa offers flexible seating, complemented by a coffee table Lura built herself and her mother-in-law’s beloved rocking chair – a unanimous family favorite. A TV on a swivel mount ensures comfortable viewing from anywhere, including the dining table Lura crafted from repurposed exhibition materials. This isn’t just for eating; it’s a versatile command center for work and hobbies. A sideboard along one wall discretely stores work items, computers, and Pedro’s toys, topped by Lura’s grandmother’s still-working sewing machine.
The Kitchen: Bright, Green, and Built for Passionate Cooks The entryway cabinets seamlessly extend into the kitchen, providing continuity and essential extra storage. For a family that loves to cook, ample countertop space and storage were paramount, ensuring everything has its designated place. The kitchen’s design echoes the patio’s green palette and natural materials. A large window along the pantry wall was a game-changer, flooding the space with light. A charming little bar in front of it offers a perfect breakfast spot, bathed in soft morning light overlooking the patio.
The Bathroom & Staircase: Functional Artistry The bathroom, tucked neatly under the new indoor staircase, features a playful combination of black cement tiles and granite mosaics with pink speckles – a bold, fun splash of color in a compact space. But the true architectural “star of the renovation” is the indoor staircase itself. It’s a masterclass in efficiency, integrating hidden storage in every nook and cranny and a massive open bookshelf. This ingenious design not only solves significant storage issues but also gives the space its unique identity. Built from warm wood with a metal upper section to draw light from the terrace, it’s both visually striking and incredibly practical. Notably, the original outdoor staircase was also kept, providing dual access to the rooftop and adding to the home’s visual appeal.
Bedrooms: Small, Smart Retreats The bedrooms, intentionally designed as “small, cozy caves,” offer a deliberate contrast to the open living areas. This shift in energy is intentional, providing a calm transition before bedtime. The main bedroom features a wall-to-wall closet for clothes and clever hidden storage behind the bed for off-season items. A large window, replacing an old door, now fills the room with light. Pedro’s room, though the smallest, feels incredibly special. A short door provides privacy without making the compact space feel cramped, and a custom animal-themed wall vinyl adds a playful touch. It perfectly accommodates his bed, clothes, and beloved Lego and bookshelves. A second door, repurposed from the old storage room, leads to a roof terrace, with future plans to build Pedro a new bedroom there, converting his current space into a study.
Lura’s home in Temperley isn’t just an architect’s personal project; it’s a living testament to the power of thoughtful design, proving that even a small, historic footprint can be transformed into a functional, beautiful, and deeply personal sanctuary where a family can not just live, but truly flourish. This is how you do modern heritage living.