Casa Faye is a private urban residence that was carefully planned to suit its specific corner lot. A considerable setback allowed for the inclusion of a private and lush garden, which functions as a central element in the house's architectural structure.
The ground floor was conceived as an open space, where the kitchen, dining room, and living room connect in an uninterrupted axis. This space expands fluidly into the landscaped area through floor-to-ceiling sliding glass panels.
These retractable glass walls have the effect of blurring the boundary between the interior and exterior environments, fixing the spatial experience in natural light, the presence of vegetation, and air circulation.
The design of Casa São Pedro, located in a gated community in the interior of São Paulo, was conceived based on the idea of maximizing the views offered by the land and taking advantage of the rich surrounding vegetation, promoting a strong connection between the built structure and the lot's external space.
The residence is formed by two main bodies. The ground floor, characterized by being extensively glazed, houses all the social functions of the project, including living rooms, home theater, wine cellar, kitchen, service areas, and garage. The upper floor is dedicated to the residents' bedrooms.
The spatial organization is notable: while the ground floor volume follows a longitudinal alignment on the land, the upper volume sits on it in a transverse orientation. This superposition results in the creation of a vast balcony and a gourmet area located below, both integrated with the living room, sunroom, and pool.
This arrangement of stacked blocks is accentuated by the contrast in finishes. The block designated for common areas is predominantly transparent, enclosed almost entirely by glass. In contrast, the upper volume is defined by imposing slatted wood panels, which cover the entire upper body through fixed panels and clam-shell doors.
Considering the slight slope of the land, the house was positioned at its intermediate point, which ensured privacy for the residents and maintained excellent perspectives of the surroundings. The pool, located at the front of the lot, capitalizes on this view and extends beneath the house, giving the living room the feeling of floating over its water mirror.
The interior design, also executed by FGMF, had as its primary objective to harmonize completely with the building's architecture while introducing concepts of comfort and warmth into all spaces of this highly transparent construction.
The Casa na Areia project, developed by ARX Portugal Arquitectos, is conceived as a material and tectonic volume characterized by a faceted and articulated geometry that integrates deeply into the terrain. Although situated on a slope, the house occupies an elevated position, which gives it a sense of visual dominance and perspective over the surrounding landscape.
Conceptually, the work refers to the surveillance exercised by ancient defensive buildings typical of this coastal area, such as watchtowers and bastions. These historical structures establish an intimate connection between the land and the sea. Such constructions often preceded larger urban settlements and featured varied forms, from square plans to star configurations, always seeking a strategy of fusion or camouflage in the landscape.
In this physical and conceptual context, the house adopts a star-shaped and polyfaceted morphology, with a predominantly opaque expression, even though it has large recessed openings. The volume is built in exposed concrete, pigmented in a green tone, appearing like an artifact emerging from or belonging to the earth, promoting symbiosis rather than opposition, a common characteristic in residences. Its presence in the location is therefore one of total integration.
The roof was designed with a garden, reinforcing the idea of belonging and creating a new space for landscape enjoyment beyond the property itself. Due to the climatic requirements of the Guincho region, the body of the house was excavated internally, resulting in the formation of two large patios in the center of the residence. This arrangement aims to concentrate a significant piece of nature in the core of the house, providing an environment protected from strong northwest winds, while maintaining a serene opening facing south.
Natural rock outcrops were incorporated into the project, and the vegetation used is from native flora, ensuring vegetal continuity with the soil. The walls delimiting these patios are fully glazed to facilitate interaction with the natural environment. Internally, the floors and walls facing the patios are executed in exposed wood, further enhancing the connection with the natural context.
