This residential project in the Aldeias do Lago condominium, in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, takes advantage of a generously sized, flat plot to propose an open, spacious home with strong spatial integration. Positioned centrally within the lot, the house is organized around a large internal courtyard that serves as a garden, a source of natural light, a circulation core, and a passive temperature control element.
This courtyard-centric arrangement reflects a fundamental principle of the design: openness. Every architectural element reinforces this goal of fluidity between interior and exterior, and between rooms themselves. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide expansive views of the surroundings. Internal walls stop short of the ceiling, allowing both air and light to circulate freely throughout the house. In many areas, solid masonry is replaced with perforated concrete block panels, enhancing ventilation and transparency.
Even the roof plays a central role in shaping the spatial experience. Designed as a single sloping plane with its lowest point at the main entrance, the roof creates a growing ceiling height as one moves through the home. This progressive expansion fosters a sensation that the house is opening up to the backyard—both literally and metaphorically. A slatted wooden ceiling follows the same incline, accentuating the effect.
Finishes such as wood, natural fibers, and earthy tones are applied to the ceiling, walls, flooring, and furniture, grounding the house within its natural context. Still, the overall design maintains a clearly contemporary character. This is most evident in the exposed steel roof structure and the bold main façade, where sharp angles, tiled panels, a sculptural staircase, and breezeblock screens define the entrance in a dynamic composition of planes.
