EA House

Fernando Guerra

• Architects

Conceived as a pavilion house that explores the physical and visual permeability of its environments, generous eaves, wide glass frames and a circulation gallery that open to the gardens define this weekend house.

photo_credit Fernando Guerra — Fernando Guerra

Located on a privileged plot in a residential condominium in the countryside of São Paulo, the design for this weekend house, conceived for a couple, their children, and grandchildren, explores the physical and visual permeability of its spaces.

During our first visit to the sloping plot, identified by a wide plateau with views on both sides — one towards the hills and the other towards the interior of the condominium — it seemed essential to position the house at the highest level, avoiding major topographic changes and integrating the program into the landscape.

Based on this analysis, the site plan emerges as a direct response to the physical and geographical conditions of the land (topography, solar orientation, winds, position of neighboring properties, and dominant views): an oblique angled linear volumetry accommodates the entire private wing, intersected by a perpendicular axis where is the social and leisure wings, open to two gardens.

Conceptualized as a pavilion house, the construction is defined by a few structural elements: two horizontal planes demarcate the façade — a gardened slab raised a few centimeters from the ground and wide eaves with generous beveled cantilevers. Between them, programmatic boxes and vertical brises soleil rhythm the facades. The linearity of the architecture emerges as a silent approach to the territory, which, despite its expansiveness, seeks to dematerialize itself.

In line with the concept of Promenade Architecturale, in this project, the experience between the built and natural landscape intertwines through the idea of a journey— gradually revealing a play of solids and voids, light and shadow, embraced by vegetation.

Upon arrival, the access to the main entrance of the residence is provided by a sinuous cobblestone path that leads to the generous 13.50-meter-long (approx. 44 ft) eaves, reminiscent of a porte-cochère.

As a welcoming gesture, pivoting wooden doors reveal the internal garden, the converging point from which access to the different wings —social, familiary, and guest areas —is distributed. Bathing the space in permanent natural light, a skylight of the same size cuts through the roof, while the slatted ceilings transform into a pergola.

With a fluid architecture, bilateral ramps accentuate the transition while increasing the ceiling height.

Under the eaves, the living and dining rooms seamlessly integrate with the stunning panoramic view, framed by large glass windows that, when open, merge with the balconies nestled under the 4.35 meter (approx. 14ft) cantilever-blurring the boundaries between inside and outside.

Along the continuous axis, a monolith clad in Tauari wood siding serves as a transition between the living areas and the gourmet veranda, acting as a partition element. In the living area, it functions as a wine cellar, while on the opposite side, it mimics the TV cabinet, concealed by sliding panels.

In the dining room, a grooved stone monolith, suspended a few centimeters above the floor by slender pillars, gives rise to a robust sideboard. Above the table, which accommodates 16 people, the Papir pendant — a luminaire designed as part of the first collection of furniture and accessories by Jacobsen Arquitetura — gracefully enhances the space.

In the living area, pieces by Brazilian designers, predominantly in wood, prevail, emphasizing the casualness of a countryside residence. The glass facades maximize natural light and play a fundamental role in constant air circulation through the cross ventilation system.

The gourmet veranda, enclosed by glass panels, features seating areas, a dining table, and a cooking counter. Wooden panels mimic the doors to the powder room and pantry.

In its interiors, the presence of natural materials accentuates the sense of cozyness. White Siena granite appears on the floors and extends to the walls of the monolithic structures that house the service and entertainment spaces, as well as the perimeter brises soleil, while wood clad the entire ceiling. The continuous application, which extends towards the exterior, reinforces the physical and visual connection between the different environments.

A volume positioned at the end of the social pavilion accommodate the entertainment and well-being areas: a gym, enclosed by sliding glass panels that open on both sides; wet and steam saunas with the same materiality, arranged towards the adjacent garden; as well as a massage room and dressing area, concealed by stone doors.

Embracing the edge of the social pavilion, an inviting ornamental lake harmoniously integrates with the lush landscaping developed in partnership with landscape architect Rodrigo Oliveira. With topographical variations reaching up to 3 meters (approx 9ft) in depth, the boundary walls are covered with Moledo stone, while the interior consists of large rocks, white sand, geysers, subaquatic plants — contributing to the natural maintenance of water and ecological balance — and over 6,000 cichlid fish of different species.

The sand color and variations in depth contribute to the clear and gradient appearance of the water, enhancing the enjoyable experience of swimming alongside the fish.

For increased privacy, the portion facing the smaller garden assumes sinuous contours to create a private beach. The heated whirlpool, bordered by walkable areas paved with granite slabs, merges with the lake waters. On the opposite side, a sun deck, swimming pool, and fire pit are aligned in a linear axis perpendicular to the social pavilion.

We opted to fragment the private and service wings through five independent volumes resting on a slightly elevated metal slab, and shaded by a boomerang —shaped roof — unified by a single inear axis. The kitchen and home theater, located near the point of intersection, have access through the social wing.

Blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior, in the flowing circulation gallery, stone brises solail rhythmically punctuate the path, while the absence of glass windows allows the breeze to flow freely. The extension of the eaves towards the adjacent garden is supported by metal pillars arranged in a cross shape.

Garden areas covered by wooden pergolas fill the empty spaces between the volumes, breaking the formal rigidity and framing views of the main garden.

Considering privacy in relation to the social zone, the family wing is carefully arranged at an oblique angle, oriented towards the quiet view and benefiting from morning sunlight. The first, smaller volume is entirely dedicated to the master suite, equipped with individual bathrooms and closets, while in the second volume is three suites and a children’s room that can be converted into a double bedroom. On the opposite side, the volume that extends to the edge houses four guest bedrooms.

In each bedroom, a few steps elevate the ceiling height. Full-height windows frame the landscape, while the metal slab gives rise to a linear planter that runs along the entire facade.