Casa Curutchet Historical Facts and Pictures

The Casa Curutchet or the Curutchet house, comprising of four levels and a courtyard facing the park, Paseo del Bosque, was among the two structures constructed by Le Corbusier, one of the main architects of the Modern Movement of architecture.  The entire project, executed and supervised by a popular Argentine architect Amanico Williams beginning in 1949, had been commissioned by Dr. Pedro Domingo Curutchet, an Argentine surgeon, who could never meet Corbusier, since the latter never visited the site, having full faith in the architect’s genius. After Dr. Curutchet’s demise the house was given by his daughters to Colegio de Arquitectos de La Plata.

Casa Curutchet

Casa Curutchet Images

Curutchet maqueta (model) or house plan

Curutchet had asked the architect to combine a working area along with a residence for his family comprising of his wife and two daughters, having a guestroom and other facilities. The project was divided into two blocks, the working place and the residential area. The office was located on the first floor, whereas the house was located in the rear end of the plot so that both the places could get the view of the park and the street. The living room area opens to the terrace that had been formed by the roof of the working area. This project witnesses certain advanced features of Corbusier’s architecture like free façade, free plan, independent structure, garden terrace, brise-solei (heat gain reduced by deflecting sunlight) and so on.

Casa Curutchet House Plan

Casa Curutchet Pictures

Architectural analysis of the interior

The building developed around a central area with a tree as the boundary between the public and the private spaces. The entrance has a portico, and the inner area separated by a thin fence from the street. In the first floor there is a series of columns arranged in a grid. The mezzanine floor comprises of the office and is lead to by a ramp having no connection to the stairs leading to the residential region. The second floor has the house from where the terrace is accessible. One can also get a splendid view of the park. The bris soleil was constructed to prevent the scorching summer heat. The third floor had two bedrooms with attached bathrooms, the first for the doctor and his better half, and the second for his children. There was also a studio opposite to the master bedroom.

Casa Curutchet Interior

Interior of Casa Curutchet

Casa Curutchet Inside

Curutchet ramp

The ramp (‘rampa’) faces the entrance door, connecting the ground floor to the living area and then switching back to the medical quarters situated at the front.

Curutchet Ramp

The structure underwent restoration from 1986 to 1988. Argentina’s Commission on National Landmarks declared it as a national landmark. Presently this building houses the professional architects association of Buenos Aires and is open to public.