Located in the countryside of São Paulo, the House in Piedade by Nitsche Arquitetos shows how simplicity, efficiency, and low-impact design can coexist in a rural residential project. Measuring 140 square meters, the home was conceived to meet both environmental conditions and client needs, with a focus on rapid construction, reduced costs, and long-term comfort. Built using a cross-laminated timber (CLT) system, the house demonstrates how contemporary construction techniques can enhance traditional architectural ideas for light, shelter, and climate responsiveness.
A compact layout shaped by climate
The home is organised into two distinct volumes, which house the bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, and living room. Between them, a central covered veranda acts as the main social and climatic median. Roofed with translucent tiles, this space channels natural light into the centre of the home and provides a protected yet open area for gathering, particularly valuable in the colder months common to this mountainous region.
Fast, low-impact construction with CLT
CLT was selected for its structural efficiency, short-span compatibility, and sustainability credentials. The entire structure was assembled in under a week, highlighting the potential of prefabricated timber construction for rural and remote contexts. Beyond speed, CLT offers environmental advantages: it stores carbon during its life cycle and requires significantly less energy to produce than conventional materials like steel or concrete.
Sunlight and shelter in one space
The design’s most atmospheric space is the central veranda, which functions as a transitional, semi-outdoor living room. The transparent roof filters daylight deep into the plan and protects the wooden ceiling panels below, enhancing both durability and comfort. This in-between space merges the architectural envelope with the surrounding environment, maintaining openness while mitigating exposure.
