On this 713 sq.m plot, located in a residential condominium, there is a solitary pequi native tree, legally protected and very representative of the Central Brazilian region of the Cerrado. Adjacent to the lot, a green non-buildable area, still flourishing, promises to become a densely wooded forest, a common green space to the residents of the condominium.

The project conciliates this context with the family's desire: to build a small single-story house, with a shaded veranda, obtaining the largest space of green area possible. The strategy adopted was to design the plan in the shape of a ribbon that develops through the plot, adjusting itself to its perimeter, in order to create voids through which the intended spatial relations could be obtained.

These voids, converted into living and leisure patios, promote contact with the gardens and the neighboring green area. In this configuration, the patio that opens to the woods also welcomes the native tree. The 'pequizeiro' remains there, as a simple reminder of a pre-existing landscape. A strategically placed central porch simultaneously segregates and integrates the social and intimate sectors of the house, since it becomes necessary to cross it passing from one area to the other. Through it, the two patios are also integrated.

The distribution of the spaces and their relationships promote unusual paths through the house, for it is natural to walk through an open space to reach a closed one, such as the one between the living room and the porch, passing through the patio, or from the dining room to the TV room, passing through the porch. In this way, everyday life experiences this relationship of continuity between inside and outside, and through it, contact with nature and the sky.

In the plot of 713m² destined for this project, located in a residential condominium, there is a solitary pequi, native tree, legally protected, and very representative of the Brazilian cerrado. Contiguous to the lot, a green area not built, still in bloom, promises to become a densely wooded forest, common to the residents of the condominium.

The project reconciles this context to the family's desire: to build a small ground floor house, with a shaded balcony, obtaining as much green area space as possible. The strategy adopted was to design the plan in the form of tape that develops through the lot, adjusting to its perimeter, in order to create voids through which the desired spatial relationships were obtained.

These voids, converted into living and leisure patios, promote contact with the gardens and the surrounding green area. In this configuration, the courtyard that opens onto the forest also houses the native tree, the pequi tree remains there, as a simple record of a preexisting landscape.

A central balcony, strategically positioned, segregates and integrates, at the same time, the social and intimate sectors of the house, because to move from one to the other it is necessary to cross it. Through it, the two courtyards are also integrated.

The distribution of spaces and their relationships promote unusual routes through the house, because it is natural to walk through an open space to reach another closed, such as what is done between the living room and the balcony, passing through the patio, or from the dining room to the TV room, passing through the balcony. So that, on a daily basis, one experiences this relationship of continuity between inside and outside, and through it the contact with nature and with the sky.

What was the brief?

A small ground floor house for a family of five, a couple and three children, with a shaded veranda, favoring open spaces as much as possible, and the maintenance of the existing 'pequizeiro' tree. A small single-piece house for a family of five, a couple and three children, with a shaded balcony, privilegionting as much as possible open spaces, and the maintenance of the existing pequi.

What were the solutions?

The solution was to launch a ribbon-shaped plan that develops around the lot, adjusting to its perimeter and forming voids integrated with gardens and with the occupation of the house itself. The solution was to launch a tape-shaped plant that develops through the lot, adjusting to its perimeter and conforming voids integrated with gardens and with the occupation of the house itself.

What were the key challenges?

Due to the limited land area, it was challenging to distribute the entire program of needs on a single floor, preserving the existing 'pequizeiro' tree, and still configure qualified unbuilt spaces. Due to the limitation of the land area, it was challenging to distribute the entire needs program on a single ground floor, preserving the existing pequi, and also configure qualified unbuilt spaces.

What building methods were used?

A conventional system of beams and columns in cast-concrete was used, with average spans of 5m and slabs also in concrete, but exposed. The seals were made of ceramic block masonry. A conventional system of beams and pillars in reinforced concrete molded on site was used, with average spans of 5m and slabs also in concrete, but apparently. The seals were made in ceramic block masonry.

Key products used:

Structure and floor in cast-in-place concrete, glass and aluminum frames, movable steel and wood panels. Structure in concrete molded on site, glass and aluminum frames, movable steel and wood panels and concrete floor molded on site.