Koba House is located in Gonçalves, in the south of Minas Gerais, Brazil, within the Serra da Mantiqueira mountain range, known for its high-altitude, cool climate. The property sits at an elevation of 4,757 feet (1,450 meters) above sea level, on a steeply sloped plot measuring approximately 9.14 acres (3.7 hectares). Having previously designed a project on the adjacent property, we were already very familiar with the local conditions — including logistical challenges, the availability of skilled labor, and the unique climate characteristics.
From the very beginning, together with the clients, we made the decision to work exclusively with local labor. The general contractor, for example, lived in the same neighborhood as the construction site. Before starting the project, we carefully evaluated which construction techniques were most familiar to the local crew, with the goal of developing a design that respected local building practices while avoiding simply replicating an existing typology.
The initial suggestion was to build on a small natural plateau near the access road. However, after conducting sun studies, we discovered that this area would remain shaded throughout the afternoon in the winter months due to a nearby mountain. We ultimately selected a different location on the property, further away from the mountain’s shadow and with a slightly gentler slope. The chosen spot also benefi ted from the absence of trees and offered stunning views of the surrounding mountains, particularly Pedra do Baú, a prominent landmark located in São Bento do Sapucaí.
The house is organized into four functional volumes. The fi rst contains the family’s private spaces: the primary suite, a TV room that also serves as a secondary entrance from the garage, and the children’s suite. The second volume is dedicated to guest suites. The third, lighter and more open in character, connects the two private volumes and houses the main social spaces: living room, indoor and outdoor kitchens, and a generous front veranda. The fourth volume, located on the lower level, includes the garage, storage room, bathroom, wine cellar, and home gym.
The core conceptual idea is a wooden roof plane resting lightly on two clay volumes set apart from each other. The open space between these private blocks becomes the heart of the social area — a space of intersection, where the geometric void itself generates connection and gathering beyond the functional program.
A defi ning feature of the house is the large, curved wooden ceiling in the social block, which creates the sensation of being inside a shipyard — as if looking up at the hull of a boat. Each steel truss was individually designed to achieve this sculptural effect while also serving its structural role as an effi cient portal frame between the wooden columns.
The construction system is hybrid, combining a timber frame structure with steel trusses, structural ceramic masonry, and reinforced concrete. The material palette emphasizes wood and ceramic, refl ecting biophilic principles by using natural materials that foster a sense of connection to both time and nature.
