Set within a lush landscape overlooking a valley and lake, Casa Ibi was renovated to enhance the relationship between architecture, nature, and well-being. The project sought to preserve the house’s rustic identity while introducing new spaces designed for gathering, leisure, and everyday living. Through a minimalist approach and a careful selection of natural materials, the intervention balances continuity and transformation, integrating new elements with the existing structure.
What began as a modest renovation, including updates to the gourmet pavilion, the expansion of a bedroom, and minor decorative changes, gradually evolved into a broader transformation as the client became increasingly inspired by the process.
The original brick façade of the main house was preserved to maintain the identity of the architecture. The doors were repainted in a deep green tone, introducing a subtle accent within the composition. All newly built exterior walls were finished with a textured plaster tinted with pigments derived from the original brick, ensuring visual continuity while distinguishing the new additions from the preserved structure. The former white stone flooring was replaced with red sandstone, creating a warmer dialogue between the existing and new elements. Their similar tone creates visual continuity, allowing the new surfaces to read as a natural extension of the original flooring.
Inside the main house, living areas, bedrooms, and bathrooms were revitalized with updated finishes. The kitchen was expanded to allow more natural light and color, while new openings strengthen its connection with the dining area.
The pavilion was completely transformed into a leisure hub. The gourmet area now includes a pizza oven, wood-fired oven, and barbecue, complemented by a sauna and restroom. A cohesive material palette unifies flooring, walls, and countertops throughout the space. Wooden beams from the pergola extend into the interior and are paired with handcrafted bamboo ceiling panels that improve acoustic comfort and add texture. Fully retractable doors allow the pavilion to open entirely to the outdoors, enhancing natural ventilation and spatial continuity.
A balcony overlooking the valley frames views of the lake and benefits from the natural shade of surrounding trees. The glass-enclosed sauna features benches oriented toward the pool and garden, reinforcing the connection between interior spaces and the landscape.
Custom carpentry in eucalyptus wood, accented with green paint and straw details, brings warmth and practicality to the interiors. The neutral palette highlights the client’s art collection and furniture by renowned Brazilian designers.
The connection between the main house and the pavilion was strengthened through a wooden pergola with a glass roof that links balconies and creates shaded seating areas. Pathways and sidewalks were redesigned, and the relocation of the carport revealed the main façade, allowing the landscaping to play a more prominent role in the composition.
