Casa Azul in Lima by Marina Vella Arquitectos

Peruvian architect, Marina Vella, designed Casa Azul, the transformation of a typical house in the Barranco area of Lima into an artists workshop. An extension in tune with the features of the original house has increased the connection between the interior and exterior even more.



Barranco, on the Pacific Ocean near Lima, was still a peaceful fishing village up to 150 years ago. Now it is one of the most loved destinations for the inhabitants of Lima to escape from the stress of the Peruvian capital, with its over nine million inhabitants, which has now also absorbed this area but still preserves its old world charm, at least in part.



This is where the plan, or the transformation and extension of a typical two floored house with patio into an artists workshop Casa Azul, by architect Marina Vella comes in.



The studio Marina Vella Arquitectos carried out the work both successfully fitting in with the style of the historical environment and creating a new cultural hub. In fact, Casa Azul offers six spaces for different artistic activities with a communal kitchen and a multi-functional room. The workshops are arranged around the central patio which is the quintessential meeting and sharing place for the artists and musicians from “barrio”.



Marina Vella kept to the original volume and also the same proportions of the patio notwithstanding the addition of a metal framework for the extension. This choice improves structural features and the resistance of the complex which is very important in an area with high seismic activity. 



The wood cladding of the extension captures the decorative vernacular theme in a more minimalist way so that the light coloured wood matches the bold colours of the external walls perfectly. 



Casa Azul by Marina Vella Arquitectos is an authentic example of how a mixture of contemporary needs and historical existing buildings, interiors and exteriors, can produce an elegant and gracious architectural design which becomes a real enhancement for the local community. 

Christiane Bürklein

Project manager: Marina Vella, http://www.marinavellarquitecta.com/
Team: Akemi Shimabukuro, Carolina Neuhaus, Mika Amano
Facilities: Ing. Jorge Avendaño,
Construction: Fernando Molina
Photographer: Gonzalo Cáceres D.
Sculptures: Joaquín Liébana
Year: 2014
Location: Lima, Peru