House SW | Jacobsen Arquitetura | Porto Feliz, Brazil

Modern Retreat in Nature

Situated in a tranquil rural setting Porto Feliz, southwest of São Paulo, House SW by Jacobsen Arquitetura redefines the concept of countryside retreat. Designed for a family seeking respite from the city, this residential home combines contemporary Brazilian minimalism with a deep sensitivity to landscape, topography and climate.

Spanning 1250 square meters, the house balances grandeur and lightness through the interplay of horizontal planes, raw materials and open spaces. It demonstrates Jacobsen Arquitetura's mastery in nature harmonious architecture, a hallmark of many studio projects recognized throughout Brazil.

Location and Design Concept

The natural slope of the plot facing a quiet lake inspired the project's main strategy: a 3-meter stone wall dividing the plot into two distinct levels.

• The upper level, adjacent to the road, contains the main entrance, service areas and bedrooms.

• The lower level, gently descending towards the lake, includes social and leisure zones.

From the street, House SW appears as a single-story building, subtly integrated into the landscape. However, unfolding along the slope, the structure reveals itself showing the pilotis space, defining the architectural identity of the house — airy verandas and glass living zones suspended above the garden and water.

This composition not only minimizes the visual impact of the built volume but also fosters a constant dialogue between the house and its environment.

Architectural Layout

The dwelling is organized into two main usage levels. The upper floor houses family and guest bedrooms, each offering a panoramic view of the lake through ceiling windows protected by deep overhangs and screens made from corrosion-resistant steel. These perforated panels ensure privacy while filtering sunlight, creating a constantly shifting pattern of light and shadow.

The lower level presents an open social area defined by sliding glass panels, which eliminate the boundary between interior and exterior spaces. Living, dining and lounge areas flow smoothly into the garden, pool and lake.

Hidden within the stone structure lies an additional leisure space: a children's playroom, spa zone, sauna and home cinema — all thermally insulated and visually concealed to maintain the horizontal purity of the house.

Material Palette

The material selection in House SW is defined by authenticity and tactility. Natural stone sets the composition, wood brings warmth, while expansive glazing provides transparency and rhythm. Laminated wooden canopies connecting the upper-level volumes create shaded walkways linking the garage, entrance hall and inner courtyard.

Together, these materials form a palette of natural elegance — modern yet timeless, minimalist but richly textured with light and shadow.

Light, Shadow and Transparency

Sunlight plays a crucial role in shaping spatial perception. Deep overhangs, canopies and vertical screens dance with illumination throughout the day, while an open layout ensures natural airflow and visual continuity.

This controlled transparency gives the architecture a unique serenity: spaces feel both open and protected, grounded yet floating.

Sustainability and Comfort

Sustainability in House SW arises from architectural intelligence, not technology. The project maximizes passive cooling and lighting through orientation, ventilation and shading. Locally sourced stone and wood minimize environmental impact, while built-in leisure zones reduce thermal load and improve energy efficiency.

The design encourages harmony with the natural environment, preserving local vegetation and enhancing the microclimate through thoughtful landscape design.

Architecture of Balance

In House SW, Jacobsen Arquitetura achieves a rare balance between sophistication and simplicity. Geometry, proportions and material honesty express contemporary Brazilian heritage reinterpreted for modern living.

This is not simply a countryside home — it's a statement of lifestyle and place, where architecture becomes an extension of the landscape, and time moves in rhythm with nature.

Photo © Leonardo FinottiPhoto © Leonardo FinottiPhoto © Leonardo FinottiPhoto © Leonardo FinottiPhoto © Leonardo FinottiPhoto © Leonardo FinottiPhoto © Leonardo FinottiPhoto © Leonardo Finotti