Located in the countryside of São Paulo, this residence was conceived as a contemporary retreat that seeks a balance between the generosity of social spaces and rigorous bioclimatic performance. The project emerges from the convergence between the programmatic desires of the residents and the investigative methodology of Studio Marchesin Arquitetos Associados, applied through its innovation branch: Marchesin Design Lab.
In this context, the project is not merely a formal exercise, but the result of the concept of the “Digital Hand.” This approach treats the curation and manipulation of computational resources and data processing with the tactile sensitivity of a craftsman. Technology ceases to be an end and becomes a contemporary “chisel,” allowing scientific parameters and parametric workflows to sculpt the final aesthetic. This process is enabled by an ecosystem of “Cross-Pollination,” where design is refined through a constant interdisciplinary dialogue between architects, engineers, and designers, ensuring that technical efficiency is intrinsic to architectural expression.
Volumetric Composition and Site Integration
The proposal is organized through a clear composition of two overlapping horizontal volumes. These volumes rest gently on the original topography, a strategy that avoids extensive earthworks and allows the architecture to adapt organically to the natural profile of the terrain. The fluid zoning and large openings establish a continuous relationship between interior and exterior, where natural light flows through the spaces throughout the day, reinforcing the lightness of the structure and spatial amplitude.
Sustainability and Bioclimatic Strategies
The structural and aesthetic pillar of the residence is the use of engineered timber (glulam) from reforestation sources. The choice of wood responds to the commitment to reducing the environmental impact of the construction while simultaneously providing warmth and texture to the spaces.
Considering the high thermal incidence of the region, the project adopts high-performance passive strategies. Perimeter verandas and the systematic use of muxarabi screens on all four façades act as solar filters, controlling heat gain without compromising natural ventilation. The positioning of openings and the use of strategic skylights enhance the stack effect, ensuring air renewal and indoor thermal comfort. On the external level, the selection of athermal stone contributes to the thermal balance of living areas. In addition, the project integrates rainwater harvesting systems and greywater treatment, closing the loop of environmental responsibility.
Program and Experience
The program is organized into three access flows that ensure privacy and functionality. While the private access leads directly to the bedroom level, the social entrance directs visitors to the gourmet area — the convergence core of the house, connected to the pool and surrounded by tropical landscaping. The project also reserves spaces for the intangible: a music room designed for listening and contemplation, and a cinema for family gathering.
The result is an architecture where materials, technique, and landscape converge, offering a living experience that is both technological in its genesis and deeply human in its experience.
