São Paulo, 2026 – Located in a condominium on the edge of a reservoir in Ibiúna, in the interior of São Paulo, the LAF Residence, designed by Patricia Martinez Arquitetura, balances generous living spaces with cozy resting areas, respecting the particularities of the terrain and the identity of the residents – a Bahian family consisting of a couple and two young children.
The architecture was inspired by the family's cultural roots, incorporating references that are revealed in the choice of materials and textures. Elements of basketry and traces of African-influenced naïve designs are especially prominent in the composition of the upper volume of the house, where the bedrooms are located, reinforcing the residents' emotional memories.
The sloping lot and the presence of the dam ahead naturally defined the layout of the residence, which blends into the preserved landscape of the surroundings. Laminated and woven wood was used for the structure, seeking to offer visual lightness and thermal comfort to the environments.
With two well-defined floors, the house is divided between the ground floor—with masonry walls and large glass panels that house the social areas, such as the living room, kitchen, and service areas—and the upper floor, which is more introspective and reserved, covered with wood-finished aluminum slats, where the family's private spaces are located.
The LAF Residence strikes a balance between generosity and privacy, between cultural roots and contemporary solutions, resulting in an emotional space that respects both the natural environment and the lifestyle of its residents.
