By Architectural Review Desk Published September 9, 2026
Main Facts
Nestled into the rugged, undulating terrain on the periphery of Lima, Peru, the newly completed House in Los Cóndores, designed by the renowned studio Malachowski Arquitectos, represents a masterclass in topography-driven residential architecture. Curated for publication by Valentina Díaz and captured through the lens of architectural photographer Renzo Rebagliati, the single-family residence breaks away from conventional hillside construction methods.
Rather than subduing the landscape through heavy excavation or imposing an alien geometry onto the site, Malachowski Arquitectos allowed the natural slope of Los Cóndores to dictate the structural narrative. The result is an intricate, cascading composition of interconnected platforms, dynamic roofs, and seamless indoor-outdoor open spaces. In this design, the simple act of moving through the home—climbing stairs, crossing bridges, pausing at thresholds, and descending into garden courtyards—becomes the core emotional and physical experience of domestic life.
The project spans multiple levels, utilizing local materials, exposed structural beams, expansive glazing, and sheltered patios to frame dramatic vistas of the surrounding landscape while maintaining an intimate human scale.
Chronology: The Evolution of the Los Cóndores Project
The realization of the House in Los Cóndores did not happen overnight; it is the culmination of years of conceptualization, site analysis, and careful execution.
Phase 1: Site Acquisition and Initial Vision (Early-to-Mid Planning Stages)
The project began when the clients approached Malachowski Arquitectos with a challenging plot of land in the scenic enclave of Los Cóndores, located on the eastern outskirts of Lima. The site’s defining characteristic was its steep, unforgiving gradient. While many developers would have viewed the topography as an obstacle requiring extensive terracing and retaining walls, the architectural team recognized it as the primary design asset. Early conceptual sketches focused on working with the earth rather than against it, establishing the premise that the architecture should step down the slope organically.
Phase 2: Schematic Design and Topographical Integration
During the schematic design phase, the architects mapped the exact contours of the site. They decided to fragment the home’s program into a sequence of tiered platforms. This approach ensured that every major living space would maintain a direct, unhindered relationship with the ground while capturing varied perspectives of the valley and mountains. The spatial sequencing was meticulously planned to turn circulation into a journey, creating distinct micro-climates and visual pauses between public and private zones.
Phase 3: Structural Engineering and Material Selection
As the design moved into development, engineering challenges took center stage. Working on a shifting slope required a hybrid structural strategy combining reinforced concrete anchor points with lightweight timber elements and steel framing. The choice of materials was intentionally restrained: warm wood accents, board-formed concrete, and large glass panes were selected to ground the building in its natural context, allowing it to weather gracefully alongside the native vegetation.
Phase 4: Construction and Completion (Late 2025 – Mid 2026)
Construction posed logistical hurdles due to the steep access roads and delicate ecology of Los Cóndores. Careful staging and precise modular assembly minimized site disruption. By mid-2026, the interior finishes were finalized, featuring custom woodwork, integrated lighting, and minimalist hardware that lets the spatial flow take center stage. The house officially opened for professional documentation in late summer 2026, culminating in its international feature on architectural platforms like ArchDaily.
Supporting Data and Technical Specifications
To fully understand the scale and ambition of the House in Los Cóndores, one must examine the architectural and spatial data points that define the project:
Project Name: House in Los Cóndores (Casa en Los Cóndores)
Architectural Firm: Malachowski Arquitectos
Location: Los Cóndores, Lima Outskirts, Peru
Publication Date: September 9, 2026
Curator: Valentina Díaz
Photographer: Renzo Rebagliati
Primary Structural Typology: Tiered, multi-platform residential architecture integrated into a natural slope.
Material Palette: Exposed concrete, structural wood beams, large-scale glass panels, natural stone, and local plantings.
Spatial Organization: Distributed across staggered vertical planes, blending interior living spaces with exterior courtyards, terraces, and gardens.
Primary Access Strategy: Sequential vertical and horizontal circulation paths that mimic mountain trails, encouraging outdoor transitions between rooms.
Official Perspectives and Design Philosophy
While contemporary residential architecture often relies on sleek, monolithic boxes dropped onto cleared plots, Malachowski Arquitectos took a philosophically distinct path in Los Cóndores. In their official project statement, the architects elaborated on the core ethos guiding the design:
"This single-family home in Los Cóndores is born from a clear decision: to let the slope of the site organize the project. The result is a sequence of platforms, roofs, and open spaces that follow the natural topography, turning the journey—climbing, crossing, pausing—into the core of the domestic experience."
This philosophy shifts the focus of luxury architecture away from mere square footage or ostentatious finishes, prioritizing instead the phenomenological experience of dwelling. By breaking the house down into staggered volumes, the firm successfully scaled down the massing of the building, preventing it from dominating the natural hillside.
Furthermore, the design philosophy emphasizes ecological sensitivity. By maintaining the natural drainage patterns of the slope beneath and around the tiered platforms, the house acts as a porous filter rather than an impermeable barrier against rain and earth movement. The integration of interior courtyards ensures that natural light and cross-ventilation penetrate deep into the footprint of the home, reducing the need for mechanical climate control in Lima’s varied microclimates.
Architectural Implications and Future Outlook
The completion of the House in Los Cóndores carries significant implications for contemporary residential design, particularly within the Andean foothills and Latin America’s rapidly expanding suburban peripheries.
1. Redefining Hillside Urbanism
As metropolitan areas like Lima expand outward into surrounding valleys and hillsides, developers frequently resort to mass-grading—flattening landscapes to create uniform suburban parcels. Malachowski Arquitectos’ work in Los Cóndores serves as a powerful counter-model. It demonstrates that topography can be preserved and celebrated. By treating the slope as an active participant in the architectural layout, the project offers a blueprint for sustainable, low-impact hillside development that preserves local ecology and prevents erosion.
2. The Rise of Experiential Circulation
Modern domestic architecture has historically prioritized open-plan efficiency. However, the House in Los Cóndores champions "experiential circulation." In a post-pandemic design landscape where homeowners increasingly value spatial variety, the deliberate inclusion of stairs, bridges, open-air breezeways, and tiered gardens provides psychological and physical separation within a single household. Moving from the living room to a bedroom is transformed from a mundane hallway walk into a transitional ritual that engages the senses with fresh air, shifting daylight, and framed views of the outdoors.
3. Material Honesty and Regional Modernism
The project also reinforces the prominence of Peruvian architecture on the global stage. By blending brutalist elements of board-formed concrete with the warmth of local timber, Malachowski Arquitectos continues a rich tradition of regional modernism that respects vernacular materials while pushing structural boundaries.
Conclusion
The House in Los Cóndores is more than a private residence; it is a spatial manifesto. Through meticulous attention to topography, a sensitive material palette, and an unwavering commitment to experiential design, Malachowski Arquitectos has crafted a timeless retreat that bridges the gap between human habitation and the raw, untamed beauty of the Peruvian landscape. As architectural critics and enthusiasts continue to study its multi-tiered layout, this home will undoubtedly stand as a benchmark for topographical sensitivity in residential design for years to come.
