With 250 sqm, the residence designed by Lucio Fleury Arquitetura unfolds across different levels, making the landscape a central element and using a prefabricated timber structure to reduce the impact of construction on the site
In Ilhabela, on the northern coast of São Paulo, geography ceases to be an obstacle and becomes part of the architecture. Based on this premise, Lucio Fleury Arquitetura developed Casa Ponta da Sela, a 250-square-meter residence completed in 2023 on a steeply sloping site. Rather than attempting to neutralize the difference in elevation, the project follows the natural topography and organizes the spaces across different levels, creating a continuous relationship between the interiors and the landscape.
The layout also responds to the restrictions imposed by local regulations and to the characteristics of a difficult-to-access plot. The main entrance is located on the upper floor, accessed from the garage, from where the house gradually unfolds downward across different levels. This solution reduced interventions on the terrain while also taking advantage of the privileged views from different points throughout the residence. “The idea was to understand the site before designing the house. The slope, vegetation, rocks and, above all, the view were decisive in defining the layout. Instead of fighting against these characteristics, we sought to let them guide the project,” explains Lucio Fleury, the architect in charge.
The floor plan is based on a 10-by-10-meter modular grid, divided into two three-meter side modules and a four-meter central module. This rational structure organizes the distribution of the rooms and allows the residence to adapt to the different levels of the terrain. The side modules contain the suites, distributed across different floors, as well as the living and dining areas. At the center, a double-height space concentrates circulation and enhances the sense of integration between the different environments.
The choice of materials and the construction system also emerged from the site’s specific conditions. To minimize the impact of the construction process on a plot with restricted access, the project adopted a prefabricated timber structure. The components arrived at the site ready for assembly, allowing the main structure to be erected and covered in less than a month. “Prefabrication was fundamental to this project. On a site like this, every movement on the construction site needs to be very carefully planned. Bringing a large part of the structure ready to the site reduced assembly time and also minimized interference with the terrain,” says Fleury.
The flat roof houses part of the residence’s infrastructure, including photovoltaic panels and a solar water-heating system. The concern with making use of natural resources is also reflected in the way the house was positioned on the site. A large existing rock was incorporated into the project, serving as support for part of the foundations as well as for the swimming pool. Other rocks found during construction were reused in the retaining walls.
Outside, the deck extends toward the landscape, creating a social area alongside the swimming pool. At the rear of the property, the creation of a level terrace made it possible to introduce a flat garden, expanding the usable areas of the house without compromising its relationship with the topography. “When a project respects the characteristics of a place, architecture begins to work together with the landscape. Here, the difference in elevation was not simply a technical issue to be solved, but an opportunity to create different experiences within the house,” emphasizes the architect.
The result is a residence in which structure, site planning and landscape are directly interconnected. By following the terrain rather than imposing an artificial geometry upon it, Casa Ponta da Sela finds the answers to its spatial and construction organization within the site itself. Architecture thus becomes an extension of Ilhabela’s landscape — with different levels, framed views and social spaces that bring everyday life closer to nature
