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A House of Salt

A House of Salt

Aging in Architecture: A Journey through Time, Decay, and Human Acceptance

Salt sculpture closeup — © May Bee, 2024

An evocative exploration of architecture’s relationship with time, decay, and mortality. This project delves into the impermanence of built structures considering erosion as part of design. Though for a seplophobic woman, the house becomes a poignant metaphor for our own journey towards death.

The beauty of decay

A House of salt is a house that delutes, melts and erodes, constantly changing, but it also shines pristine white and after every rainy day and it gets every time more translucent, sparkling and attractive. In a House of Salt, the decaying process is more like a metamorphosis, from a rough stone into a jewel. Until its sudden and silent disappearance.

The beatersweet contradiction

The geometric clash in between the squareness of white salt and the organic shaped clay interiors are the embodiment of the bitter sweet contradiction of life and decay, control and process. Though the square seems pure and controlled, it is also sharp and cold, and while the rounded interiors seem perforated, nested and confusing, they are also warm and containing. In this contradiction I the House of Salt states the problem and the solution at the same time, a house to expose, confront and embrace.

Designing with Erosion

Time and erosion are considered for the layout of spaces, those rooms located above are the first programmed to turn into gardens and terraces by simple water erosion. Studio, livingroom, dining, kitchen, and lastly bedroom where the owner can rest her last breaths before passing away in her own home. The user rhythm of life is accompanied by her house, becoming every time more accessible, smaller and easier to clean.

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About Magdalena Salinas

May Bee is an independent architecture and art firm from Argentina, founded by Magdalena Salinas. Based in The Hague, Netherlands, explores speculative architecture and its intersection with other arts.

The House of Salt, Before and After — © May Bee, 2023

Salt sculpture and closeup, model 001_003 — © May Bee, 2024

The house of salt, interiors over time — © May Bee, 2023

Salt sculpture erosion and closeup, model 001_001 — © May Bee, 2024

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