Built on a flat 375m² plot in the Vale do Sol neighborhood of Nova Lima (MG), this 315m² residence was designed to overcome the constraints imposed by the lot’s dimensions — especially its narrow width of 10.4 meters. Local regulations, which require a minimum setback of 1.5 meters on each side, limited the building’s maximum width to less than 7 meters, making spatial optimization a central challenge of the project.
Given this context, the distribution of openings, integration between spaces, and landscaping were key strategies in ensuring the home's spatial quality. The recessed position of neighboring constructions on adjacent lots resulted in shading and low privacy at the rear portion of the plot. To address this, the ground floor layout — occupying 220m² — was organized into two blocks, separated by a central garden patio, which is sunny and shielded from outside views.
The front block houses support functions: a garage for three vehicles, a service area, a dog kennel, an outdoor powder room facing the spa, and a multifunctional space for training and bicycle storage, tailored to the needs of one of the residents, a professional athlete.
The rear block, with two stories, contains the living spaces. On the ground floor, the veranda, kitchen, living and dining rooms, and an indoor powder room are arranged in an open-plan layout. Two semi-independent side wings accommodate the home office and guest suite, each with access to private verandas — providing quiet and isolation when desired.
On the upper floor, the private quarters include two bedrooms, a shared bathroom, and the master suite with a walk-in closet and a balcony overlooking the Serra da Calçada mountains.
The main social area of the house features a double-height ceiling and a large window that floods the interior with natural light. Cross-ventilation is ensured by openings on opposite walls, and the side gardens, visible from various points, visually expand the home and soften the sense of narrowness imposed by the lot.
The choice of materials reinforces the regional and emotional character of the project. Hydraulic tiles, a tradition in Minas Gerais architecture, were used in the powder rooms and on a large external panel with custom designs created especially for the house. The yellow-toned polished concrete, featured on the office and home office verandas, also covers part of the kitchen, visually linking the indoor and outdoor environments.
All built-in furniture, as well as the metalwork elements, were designed by the same architecture firm, which was also responsible for managing the construction.
