A horse on the roof? You’re not hallucinating, we promise

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Published In Features
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Pinch yourself: this yard is for real. Set in the ‘Pampas’ region of Argentina, this futuristic set-up is the home of six-goal polo player Nachos Figueras, the ‘David Beckham of polo’, and his picture-perfect family.

Designed by architects Estudio Ramos, the project was finished in 2016
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Designed by architects Estudio Ramos, the project was finished in 2016

The roofs are planted with wild native grasses in an intentional contrast to the perfection of the polo field’s turf below
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The roofs are planted with wild native grasses in an intentional contrast to the perfection of the polo field’s turf below

The yard is just 45-minutes from Buenos Aires, in the distinctive “Pampas” region — pampa meaning “plains” or “flatland”
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The yard is just 45-minutes from Buenos Aires, in the distinctive “Pampas” region — pampa meaning “plains” or “flatland”

According to the architects, “water, the universal symbol of life, purity and harmony, is used to connect and articulate these spaces, as well as to create a serene atmosphere”
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

According to the architects, “water, the universal symbol of life, purity and harmony, is used to connect and articulate these spaces, as well as to create a serene atmosphere”

There is stabling for 44 ponies in total, designed with privacy as a priority
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

There is stabling for 44 ponies in total, designed with privacy as a priority

“A very special and intimate connection is forged between the horses and the people who train and take care of them. It has been our aim to design these stables as the space that contains and nurtures that relationship,” say the architects
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“A very special and intimate connection is forged between the horses and the people who train and take care of them. It has been our aim to design these stables as the space that contains and nurtures that relationship,” say the architects

While practicality might be most horse owners’ priority, Nachos had aspirations for a set-up more akin to an art gallery
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

While practicality might be most horse owners’ priority, Nachos had aspirations for a set-up more akin to an art gallery

Five-star hotel or tack room? “Two basic materials were used for the construction of the whole project: exposed concrete and local hardwoods. These materials were chosen because of their aesthetic properties, low maintenance and beautiful aging”
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Five-star hotel or tack room? “Two basic materials were used for the construction of the whole project: exposed concrete and local hardwoods. These materials were chosen because of their aesthetic properties, low maintenance and beautiful aging”

“When travelling through this area, there is an overwhelming feeling of a never-ending horizontality. This project, with its pronounced horizontalism and simplicity of elements, attempts to make a reference to all of these themes”
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“When travelling through this area, there is an overwhelming feeling of a never-ending horizontality. This project, with its pronounced horizontalism and simplicity of elements, attempts to make a reference to all of these themes”

The concrete staircase leads up to a turfed roof, where visitors can settle down to watch a chukka or two
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The concrete staircase leads up to a turfed roof, where visitors can settle down to watch a chukka or two

“The freestanding walls create diverse spaces and situations”
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“The freestanding walls create diverse spaces and situations”

The design includes space for grooms’ accommodation
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The design includes space for grooms’ accommodation

Discretion is key: from a bird’s eye view, only horses and greenery are visible
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Discretion is key: from a bird’s eye view, only horses and greenery are visible

A work of art: it’s hard to believe that this is real life…
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

A work of art: it’s hard to believe that this is real life…

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Madeleine Silver
Madeleine Silver
Former features editor

A graduate from Durham University, Madeleine joined H&H in 2011 and became Features Editor — producing content across the magazine and website, including the popular inside back cover article ‘The horse that made me’ and the weekly ‘The best of my fun…’ interview. She has written on topics as diverse as hay making and headcams, to hot totty in the horse world and circus horses. Madeleine now works as a freelance feature writer for Country Life, The Telegraph, Horse & Hound, cntraveller.com, The Spectator and The Field, as well as writing obituaries for The Times.