House TM | Jacobsen Architecture | Brazil

Dialogue Between Architecture and Landscape

The House TM by Jacobsen Arquitetura embodies the studio's signature approach — architecture that blurs the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces, combining contemporary minimalism with the tranquility of the natural environment. Set in an abundance of Brazilian nature, the house unfolds as a series of open and interconnected spaces that invite the surrounding environment to become an integral part of daily life.

Jacobsen Arquitetura, known for its refined modern language and masterful use of natural materials, designed House TM as a quiet composition of light, structure and landscape. Every element—from floating planes to transparent walls—celebrates proportion, precision, and deep respect for the site.

Site and Context

The house is located in a peaceful natural setting, away from the density of major Brazilian cities. The site, rich in mature vegetation and gentle contours, defined the spatial organization of the house. Rather than dominating the land, House TM appears lightly floating above it, supported by slender columns and projecting slabs, allowing the land and vegetation to flow uninterrupted beneath the structure.

This sensitive placement minimizes ecological impact, creating a sensation of suspended space and openness—a recurring motif in Jacobsen's work.

Architectural Composition

House TM is defined by its horizontal surfaces and strong linear geometry, characteristic of elegant Brazilian modernism. The project consists of three distinct volumes: the social area, private quarters, and service block—each connected through transitional spaces that frame views of water, vegetation, and sky.

Large glass facades and long overhangs provide natural ventilation and abundant daylight, while deep eaves and pergolas create shade from tropical sun. The central living area opens fully to the garden and pool, dissolving the boundaries between indoor comfort and outdoor relaxation.

Materiality and Atmosphere

The material choices enhance the connection with nature. Wood, stone and concrete are used in their most authentic form—unprocessed, textured, and tactile. Warm wooden ceilings soften the linear geometry while stone walls add a sense of strength and permanence. Polished concrete floors reflect surrounding greenery and penetrate light deep into the interiors.

This dialogue between natural and finished surfaces creates a home that is minimalist yet deeply sensitive, a hallmark of Jacobsen's residential work.

Interior Experience

Inside, the layout prioritizes fluidity, transparency and comfort. The main living area functions as a continuous social nucleus, combining the lounge, dining and kitchen under one uninterrupted wooden roof. Large sliding glass panels transform the space depending on time of day—open to the landscape during the day, intimate and serene at night.

Private areas—bedrooms and bathrooms—are positioned to ensure privacy without isolation, offering views of enclosed gardens or reflecting pools. Furniture and built-in elements were individually designed to maintain architectural integrity while emphasizing craftsmanship over ornamentation.

Light, Shadow and Connection

Daylight is an architectural material in House TM. Roof windows, arched openings and carefully oriented glazing create a scenario of light movement through the interiors. As the sun moves, shadows stretch along wooden ceilings and stone walls, creating a living rhythm that shifts throughout the day.

The architecture remains deliberately simple, allowing nature’s dynamics—wind, sun, vegetation—to become the most expressive features of the house.

Sustainability and Design Philosophy

In line with Jacobsen Arquitetura’s ethics, sustainability in House TM is built into its design, not added later. The use of local materials, natural ventilation, solar orientation and passive shading strategies reduce energy consumption. The elevated structure protects local flora and improves site drainage, while rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling systems ensure ecological efficiency.

More than just a house, House TM is a meditation on proportions, climate and material honesty—a continuation of Brazilian modernist tradition reinterpreted for the 21st century.

House TM demonstrates the refined architectural language of Jacobsen Arquitetura: modest, sustainable and deeply contextual. Through simplicity, precision, and humility, architects have created a residence that looks timeless yet boldly contemporary, seamlessly blending human comfort with the beauty of the natural world.

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