The surroundings of a residential neighborhood not far from downtown were the main determinant factors for this residential project. The building site outlines the corner of a block where it is still possible to find constructions from different architectural period.

There are few buildings taller than two floors in this neighborhood. On this kind of scale, it is still possible to view the horizon.

The ancient buildings of the consolidated old downtown display a traditional concern for embellishing the city through the constructions and their corner details. However, this location opposes to a certain extent these beautiful lessons to adequate to the shape and dimensions of the terrain. The distribution of the program of requirements was supposed to configure a reserved core where the rooms turn to, without street views. This way, life in the house revolves around the yard.

These definitions are also an answer to the search of privacy and security, since this kind of residential program is increasingly rare on the proximity of urban centers. One of the requirements for the layout was to build the house on the highest level of the property.

On the entrance level, the stairs form a circulation axis and organize the social area into two independent sectors. The upper level encompasses the entire private area of the residence.

On this floor, the axis composes a loggia oriented to the yard. The circulation is intended not only a as passageway, but as an open and illuminated transition area. 

The height of the loggia allows ventilation and sunlight into the bathrooms. The glass-covered pergola compensates the low ceiling height. This set of priorities determined the bedrooms and living room orientation to the west (a relevant position in this latitude).

This way, soothening contradictions and seeking thermal and light comfort through the use of shading was a priority.

Venetian shutters and brise-soleil panels were used to control the solar incidence during warmer seasons.

The thickness of the walls was increased in order to manage thermal gains in the summer (or losses in the winter).

The loggia openings ensure crossed ventilation in every compartment.

About the materials: the use of white and wood was present since the first projects. The color white occurs on the base of the north surface only as a counterpoint to the superior level. The use of exposed concrete establishes a rudimentary foundation, strategic for a red-clay-soiled region. This material was also used inside the house, demarcating the stairs from the loggia.

It is possible to visualize the street from the opening over the entrance door at this intersection. The door is contiguous to the circulation axis and comprises one of the few examples of the same architecture that characterizes so well the regional landscape.