A residential retreat in Trancoso, Brazil, designed by Guilherme Torres with landscape architecture by Alex Hanazaki
Set within a preserved fragment of native Atlantic Forest in Alto do Segredo, Trancoso, A Mata is a residential development conceived as an intimate dialogue between architecture, landscape and territory. Rather than imposing itself on the site, the project unfolds as an extension of the forest, where built form and nature coexist in a careful balance of presence and discretion.
The architectural design by Guilherme Torres is guided by the idea of continuity between interior and exterior. Villas and cabins are arranged to follow the natural topography, opening generously to views of the forest and the sea while maintaining privacy and a sense of retreat. Large openings, deep eaves and fluid circulation spaces encourage natural ventilation, filtered light and a slow rhythm of living that reflects Trancoso’s coastal way of life. Material choices reinforce this connection to place. Wood, micro-pigmented concrete and handcrafted elements reference local construction traditions and craftsmanship, grounding contemporary architecture in regional knowledge. The result is an architecture that feels both refined and deeply rooted, where sophistication emerges through restraint.
Landscape architecture by Alex Hanazaki plays a central, structuring role in the project. Rather than acting as a backdrop, the landscape is treated as living architecture—shaping paths, framing views and creating moments of immersion and pause. Native vegetation, shaded gardens and carefully curated clearings reinforce the project’s biophilic character, blurring the boundaries between built and natural environments.
More than a collection of residences, A Mata proposes a way of inhabiting the Brazilian coast that privileges belonging, contemplation and environmental respect. It is a project where architecture and landscape converge to create a serene, sensorial experience—one that celebrates Trancoso’s unique cultural and natural heritage while redefining contemporary vacation living.
