Archello Awards · Winners Announced
Archello Awards 2024 · Winners Announced
Archello Awards 2024
Winners Announced
Monte House
© Federico Cairoli

Monte House

Gávea Arquitetos as Architects

The circumstances inherent to the design of 'Casa do Monte' refer to one of the most primordial themes of architecture – the relation between work and landscape. In this sense, because it is located on the top of a mountain, such a relationship can be explored in order to perceive the uncertain boundaries between the horizontality of the landscape and the figure of the architectural work. As of this premise, the structure that shapes the spatiality of housing arises from the positioning of five parallel planes, whose interval between them determines the functional and structural character of the project. The conjunction of these plans creates the structuring axes, enabling two ways of relating to the exterior: the longitudinal axis to them, which turns to the divine exterior of the landscape, and another transversal one, which articulates the various crossings and environments that configure the form of dwelling in the house.


The choice of a one-level construction reaffirms this premise of continuity between environments, as well as between interior and exterior. By expanding all the inherent uses of housing in the same area, it is possible to explore the various possibilities of occupying and experiencing the plot. Be it in the inner spaces, or in the outer areas. There is only a level change, in the pool area, which is leveled with the slab of the two wings for the bedrooms. As they are covered by a layer of grass, they also become floor, thus allowing the configuration of a belvedere that turns to the surrounding landscape, having the celestial vault as their protection.


Al lspaces relate with the outside and such relation is reaffirmed as of the expansion of the elements that shape the spatial structure of each of these environments. The extension of such outwards spatiality is seen in the continuity of the wall plans, the concrete marquises, the porch floor – which earthy tone refers to the region's soil tone. This lack of determination seeks to create this outside shelter, reinforcing the relation with its surrounding landscape.


In the central space, the relation between the exterior and interior escalates in power, with a cover whose structure stands out from the volumetric analysis of the other rooms. The detail of fastening the wood in the plans of masonry, besides storing the memory of the construction process, referring to the struts of the concrete beams, allows the entrance of light, and the exit of the perception towards the outside. The space in between, from the most external to the most interior takes the appearance of a square. Almost external, almost internal. Light, air, people and landscape. All of them meet themselves.


Material Used :

1. Ladrilhos Petrópolis / Cement Tiles

2. DanicaZipco / Termoroof PIR HP

3. DECA / Bathroom Fixtures

4. Chauffage / Lareira a Lenha Tipo Gota

5. Palimanan / Green Hijau Stone

Read story in Português

Project Credits
Product Spec Sheet

ElementBrand
Termoroof PIR HPDânicaZipco
Bathroom FixturesDeca
Cement TilesLadrilhos Petrópolis
Green Hijau StonePalimanan
Product Spec Sheet
Termoroof PIR HP
Bathroom Fixtures
by Deca
Cement Tiles
Green Hijau Stone
Project Spotlight
Product Spotlight
News
Fernanda Canales designs tranquil “House for the Elderly” in Sonora, Mexico
12 Dec 2024 News
Fernanda Canales designs tranquil “House for the Elderly” in Sonora, Mexico

Mexican architecture studio Fernanda Canales has designed a semi-open, circular community center for... More

Australia’s first solar-powered façade completed in Melbourne
12 Dec 2024 News
Australia’s first solar-powered façade completed in Melbourne

Located in Melbourne, 550 Spencer is the first building in Australia to generate its own electricity... More

SPPARC completes restoration of former Victorian-era Army & Navy Cooperative Society warehouse
11 Dec 2024 News
SPPARC completes restoration of former Victorian-era Army & Navy Cooperative Society warehouse

In the heart of Westminster, London, the London-based architectural studio SPPARC has restored and r... More

Green patination on Kyoto coffee stand is brought about using soy sauce and chemicals
10 Dec 2024 News
Green patination on Kyoto coffee stand is brought about using soy sauce and chemicals

Ryohei Tanaka of Japanese architectural firm G Architects Studio designed a bijou coffee stand in Ky... More

New building in Montreal by MU Architecture tells a tale of two facades
10 Dec 2024 News
New building in Montreal by MU Architecture tells a tale of two facades

In Montreal, Quebec, Le Petit Laurent is a newly constructed residential and commercial building tha... More

RAMSA completes Georgetown University's McCourt School of Policy, featuring unique installations by Maya Lin
10 Dec 2024 News
RAMSA completes Georgetown University's McCourt School of Policy, featuring unique installations by Maya Lin

Located on Georgetown University's downtown Capital Campus, the McCourt School of Policy by Robert A... More

MVRDV-designed clubhouse in shipping container supports refugees through the power of sport
9 Dec 2024 News
MVRDV-designed clubhouse in shipping container supports refugees through the power of sport

MVRDV has designed a modular and multi-functional sports club in a shipping container for Amsterdam-... More

Archello Awards 2025 expands with 'Unbuilt' awards categories
9 Dec 2024 Archello Awards
Archello Awards 2025 expands with 'Unbuilt' project awards categories

Archello is excited to introduce a new set of twelve 'Unbuilt' project awards for the Archello Award... More