Practical House by Estúdio Zargos in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Project: Practical House Architects: Estúdio Zargos Location: Belo Horizonte, Brazil Area: 6,565 sq ft Year: 2019 Photography: Jomar Bragança

Practical House by Estúdio Zargos

The Practical House, designed by Estúdio Zargos in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, embodies simplicity, consistency, and integration with the natural environment. Located at the end of a dead-end street among hills, the project maintains a concise dynamism both in materials and functionality. The two-level structure harmoniously fits into the existing terrain, with the first floor including an entrance, a terrace with landscape elements, and a multi-functional space. The second floor, situated above surrounding buildings, contains main functional areas and living rooms, offering a unique view of the city.

Concise, consistent and coherent: these adjectives reflect the essence of the Practical House. Located at the end of a dead-end street, surrounded by hills and greenery, the building in Belo Horizonte exhibits a simplified dynamism both in materials and usage.

Starting from the existing terrain, the key task of the project was to develop an integration of a new house that could interact with the existing logic of terrain formation, elements and platforms for another project. Thus, the house was organized on two levels as follows:

The first floor, slightly above the average level of surrounding buildings, contains an entrance with stairs, a ramp and a hallway, as well as a large terrace functioning as parking and a multi-functional space surrounded by expressive landscaping;

The second floor houses the main rooms and essential functions of the house, organized very integratively, including the landscape of the regional zone, surrounded by an atmosphere of harmony between nature and city. Thus, in addition to the planned landscape and surrounding environment, the area is created as a space that harmoniously connects with the large terrace, offering users a synesthetic experience between existence and space.

Its high location in the valley provides unique views of the city. The use of materials in their pure form creates simple, lively and powerful architecture.

This dual dialogue between the city and nature creates a dualistic atmosphere, where the landscape is the main character. From this perspective one can enjoy the tranquility of a bedroom surrounded by greenery, listening to the sound of wind in leaves, as well as open up to the street through the terrace, observing urban lights on the horizon.

–Estúdio Zargos