Block Home Case Study: Boutique Residential Design in South America
Explore how the Block Home embodies a boutique residential design to stand out from traditional residences in Guyana, South America.
The elements that make us feel at home are specific to where we live. Whether a house near sandy beaches or mountain ranges, in a city or someplace more rural, it is the landscapes and our surroundings that we connect to. At Bspk, we bring our expertise in boutique residential design to projects across the United States and around the world. Each time we are looking for the elements of a place that we are drawn to, those powerful connections that make us feel at home.
Guyana is a country on South America’s North Atlantic coast with distinct natural regions. From its coastal marshland to inland white sands and dense rain forests, the country has incredible landscapes and diversity. While most of the population lives in the lowlands, our Guyana Block Home, which was recently published in the Los Angeles Wire, was designed straddling this line in a jungle setting. Made for an international couple, the home both celebrates and connects with the local climate and landscape.
Block by Block: A Home of Contrasts
The boutique residential design of the Guyana Block Home, explored an arrangement commonly found in tropical locales; a series of bungalows connected with breezeways. Reinterpreting this building arrangement, our design became a single, minimalist volume that recalls the International Style.
The central idea is that rooms are open to each other to encourage breezes in a tropical climate while letting in sunlight. It is an open plan that feels light and airy. In turn, the home connects with views of nature and surrounding landscapes.
The singular volume of the Block House not only builds on the history of Guyana, but it also provides privacy and a distinct aesthetic from nearby homes. The home’s strong, rectilinear form contrasts with nearby nature; limestone blocks are juxtaposed against vegetation and palm trees with their deep-green fronds. In turn, warm wood materials and tones can be found along the facade and in the interior design.
Nature, Light and Tranquil Living
The singular form of the Guyana Block Home allowed us to balance openness with privacy. Instead of placing windows on the exterior facade, throughout are internal green spaces and private courtyards that keep the family connected. On the ground floor, the home opens onto an enclosed backyard for entertaining, swimming in the pool, or quiet relaxation.
The design features a two-level plan that is elongated to make the most of the rectangular lot while maximizing connections with the landscape. Inside, the living area features floor-to-ceiling glass sliders at the front and rear that create a seamless sense of openness whether open or closed. When open, boundaries fall away to create a flowing indoor/outdoor experience.
At Bspk, we believe this approach to boutique residential design allows homeowners and visitors to feel connected. They are welcomed into a home that is spacious, inviting, and bright, and they can easily move between the rooms they want to use at any given moment.
At Home: Residential Design in South America
Boutique residential design in South America often reflects a rich cultural diversity, blending architectural influences from indigenous traditions, colonial heritage, and modern design trends. Many South American homes prioritize outdoor living spaces, such as patios and gardens, to take advantage of the continent's favorable climate. This is also true in Guyana, where there are a diverse range of home styles.
In the Block Home, the ground floor becomes a continuous space that extends the livable area of the residence. It houses most of the home’s public spaces, and it offers ample access to the yard. The second level, where most of the bedrooms are situated, offers privacy while connecting to courtyards. This creates a series of private outdoor moments.
Boutique residential design emphasizes personalized, unique, and tailored solutions for homeowners, ensuring specific needs and preferences are met. At Bspk, we bring the expertise and creativity needed to transform a house into a functional and beautiful home. While all of our projects are unique, we bring the same set of values to creating homes in different countries around the world.