House in the Hills of Serra da Mantiqueira15 photos

House in the Hills of Serra da Mantiqueira

© Nelson Kon

The architects of Obra Arquitetos studio sought to solve this task in two ways.

First, by creating an intimate natural environment within arm's reach, organizing all rooms around a small green patio. This inner courtyard allows residents to maintain visual contact with each other while living in different parts of the house. Thanks to the curved glass framing the living space, the view of the patio is not segmented and is perceived as a whole.

Second, the architects approach the idea of contemplation on a larger scale of the natural landscape. The plot offers a wide view over the Serra da Mantiqueira range. The architects chose a perspective for construction that avoids neighboring houses in the field of vision. Thus, starting with contemplation of the intimate indoor garden, one can climb the stairs to the green roof and gaze into the boundless mountainous expanse. In this way, the house appropriates the surrounding landscape, making the Mantiqueira mountains part of its own garden.

Photographs: Nelson Kon