The project was developed on a remarkable site, still preserving remnants of the Atlantic Forest, in one of the most beautiful areas of Rio de Janeiro: Cosme Velho. Neighboring Christ the Redeemer and located within a gated community, the plot once contained the original bed of the Maracanã River, which explains the stone retaining wall found at the lowest part of the site. At a later stage, the river was diverted, freeing a small area for residential construction.
The client—a screenwriter and writer, and owner of a major publishing house—told us he had a choice to make: either the plot and the house, or a sailboat. He chose the plot—so beautiful—and the house. Lucky us.
The house was conceived through the preservation of two stone walls, true relics from the 19th century, as well as a small section of tiles from the same period, reused as flooring in the powder room. The powder room was designed precisely on the spot where the tiles were found, allowing the existing stone walls and tiles to define the building’s footprint.
The client’s request was for a refuge-house for writing and working: small in scale, yet fully integrated with the surrounding nature, gardens, and existing stone walls.
The sailboat became the conceptual starting point of the project, which was designed and built using a steel structure and exposed concrete. The layout takes advantage of the site’s natural topography, existing terraces, and stone walls. In essence, the building is composed solely of structure, walls, and glass, with no paint, finishes, or ornamentation—an eviscerated structure.
Despite its compact size, the house feels generous and well resolved, featuring a large living room/library, a study, an open kitchen connected to the outdoor area, a fully glazed gallery that embraces the surrounding landscape, and two suites.
The furniture was carefully selected in a distinctly Carioca style: colorful, traditional, with few pieces and well-designed accessories. Classic.
Thus, we built our boat-house in the middle of the forest, crowned by a skylight that frames Christ the Redeemer.
