For ARCHISCENE Magazine, Editor Jana Kostic speaks with Melazza co-founders Malena Taboada and Florencia Melazza about Casa Botánica, a residential project shaped by filtered light, tactile materials, and a quiet relationship with nature in Buenos Aires’ Club Tortugas. Designed in collaboration with MEP, the home doesn’t assert itself against the setting but instead listens to it. Shrubs cross thresholds, trees soften interiors, and architecture opens to the outside without disruption. Rooted in emotion and precision, the project reflects a shared approach that favors calm transitions and materials that speak through use.
INTERVIEWS
In the interview, Taboada and Melazza share how they approached a home shaped by family life, natural light, and thoughtful restraint. From their collaboration with MEP to the emotional tone set by the site, the conversation reveals a process grounded in listening, both to the place and to the people living in it. Across textures, transitions, and custom design elements, Casa Botánica unfolds as a study in quiet architecture and attentive use.
How did the environment in Club Tortugas influence your approach to Casa Botánica?
The environment in Club Tortugas was key as a starting point for the design. The lush vegetation, tall trees, and the history of the place—tied to polo and outdoor living—inspired us to create a house that blended into the landscape rather than imposing itself upon it. At Melazza, we wanted the interior to reflect that soft, filtered atmosphere generated by the trees, and to maintain the connection with nature upon entering.
Which aspects of the site and the client’s lifestyle shaped the emotional tone of the project?
The combination of the natural environment and a highly aesthetic, sensitive, and organized family was the starting point for defining the tone. The clients deeply value design and also balance; they needed a functional home for a dynamic life with three children, without losing refinement. She, in particular, is detail-oriented and open to trying new things. This allowed us to envision a contemporary, serene, elegant space with personality but without ostentation.
Which details or materials helped you create a sense of understated elegance?
We worked with noble materials: stone, wood, linen, rattan, and handcrafted iron. Soft textures, subtle contrasts, and the organic shapes of custom furniture pieces bring character without being intrusive. Elegance lies not in excess but in harmony.
How was the dynamic with MEP during the design process?
The dynamic with MEP was fluid and collaborative from the beginning. There was strong mutual listening and a shared understanding of the importance of integrating architecture and interior design from the genesis of the project. This allowed us to work in parallel from concept to detail.
How did you approach the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces?
It was the heart of the project. From the beginning, a natural and fluid transition between indoors and outdoors was sought. The indoor living area continues into the exterior; large windows visually connect all spaces with the surrounding vegetation.
What role did natural light play in the living experience?
Natural light is the absolute protagonist. The trees filtering the sunlight create a very special, almost immersive atmosphere. We took advantage of this quality and enhanced it with large windows that let the light in as a scenographic element.
How did you achieve a sense of quiet luxury without excess?
Through the quality of materials, the design of exclusive pieces, and the focus on craftsmanship. We avoided the superfluous and aimed for every element to have purpose. Luxury is in the detail: in a stitch, in the curve of a furniture piece, in the feel of textures to the touch.
How did the needs of a family with three children influence the design?
It was central. They needed functionality, smooth circulation, resistant yet aesthetic materials, and above all, a home that would support them without losing its identity. Every space was designed with real use in mind: from the kitchen connected to the family room to the furniture that invites family gatherings.
What elements anchor the atmosphere of Casa Botánica?
I’d say there are three main anchors: the connection with nature, the selection of noble materials, and the custom pieces. The furniture designed by Melazza, such as the Krona armchairs or the Laquila console, brings unique identity to the space. All of this, supported by a serene palette and a minimalist approach, defines Casa Botánica.
