MeMo House in San Isidro: A Concrete Home Rooted in Green

The garden is often an afterthought in residential design, but at the MeMo House in San Isidro, Argentina, landscaping becomes the defining feature. Designed by BAM! Arquitectura, this contemporary concrete residence integrates a sweeping, sloped vertical garden that runs across three levels, transforming greenery into a central architectural element. The house’s restrained material palette—raw concrete, white finishes and warm wood accents—provides a neutral backdrop that lets the living landscape take center stage.

System of green ramps connects different levels of the house and adds ample greenery

The sloped green ramps start at ground level and climb to form a rooftop garden at the top floor, creating continuous vegetative surfaces that blur the boundary between interior and exterior. On the rear façade, the multi-level garden gives way to a generous deck, a swimming pool and a fire pit—outdoor elements designed for social gathering and relaxation. Large sliding glass doors on the ground floor allow the living room to open directly to the garden, establishing a seamless indoor-outdoor flow and maximizing daylight and seasonal views.

Living room of the house in white and wood with plenty of natural light flowing in — Living room in white and wood with abundant natural light

Modern rear facade opens up into the garden — Modern rear façade opens up into the garden

Beyond its lush appearance, MeMo House incorporates practical sustainability measures. Solar panels on the roof supply renewable energy and support the home’s heating and lighting systems. Rainwater collection and irrigation systems help maintain the planted ramps and rooftop greenery, reducing municipal water demand. Passive design strategies—such as careful orientation, thermal mass from exposed concrete and natural ventilation—help moderate indoor temperatures and reduce reliance on mechanical heating and cooling. Together, these elements contribute to a high environmental performance and a building that is both modern and planet-friendly.

Multi-level garden adds eco-friendly appeal — Multi-level garden across the house adds eco-friendly appeal to the setting

Inside, the design remains deliberately simple and refined. The upper level houses the master suite and bathrooms, where white surfaces and exposed concrete are punctuated by a warm wooden accent wall. This restrained interior palette amplifies natural light and contrasts with the vibrant greens of the planted ramps visible from multiple vantage points. A concrete staircase and minimal steel railings provide sculptural circulation between levels while maintaining a cohesive material language throughout the house.

Rear garden, pool and deck with a firepit — Rear garden, pool and deck along with a firepit

Sloped gardens become part of the indoor visual — Sloped gardens also become a part of the visual indoors

The MeMo House demonstrates how an integrated landscape strategy can redefine a home’s character. By routing planted ramps through the architecture and capping them with a rooftop garden, the architects have created a living, sustainable envelope that enhances privacy, improves thermal performance and brings continuous greenery into the everyday experience. The result is a contemporary concrete home that feels alive—an eco-conscious residence where architecture and landscape work as one.

Unassuming modern street façade in concrete — Unassuming and modern street facade of the house in concrete

Photography: Jeremias Thomas

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