Montemor House by Brasil Arquitetura in Brazil

Project: Montemor House
Architects: Brasil Arquitetura
Location: Brazil
Area:  4,305 sq ft
Year: 2021
Photographs: Manuel Sa, TaiPAL

Montemor House by Brasil Arquitetura in Brazil

Brasil Arquitetura completed the Montemor House project in Brazil. With over 4,000 square feet of living space, it's interesting how they organized the layout in this house. Different ceiling heights create an unusual floor plan.

Three thick earth walls, made from different colored soils, define, organize and structure this house. Different heights determine the use of space in all directions from a small triangular central courtyard formed by these three walls; organize daily life spaces according to their primary functions (kitchen and service, living room and bedrooms); as well as conceptually and physically structure the covering of three volumes formed by their placement on the ground.

Thus, the use of thick earth walls and their positioning are key and fundamental to the project from start to finish in all architectural, constructional, formal and spatial aspects.

Put more simply, the house is distributed with its functions and zones around this real 'heart', which is the central courtyard.

But we can also say the opposite: the house reaches its climax, converging in this small courtyard surrounded by earth and water, with a stone fountain in the middle.

–Brasil Arquitetura