Conceived as a weekend and vacation retreat for a multigenerational family, Residência Yupi, located in Riviera de São Lourenço (SP), conveys warmth and togetherness through contemporary architecture rich in natural light and in harmony with the surrounding tropical vegetation. Designed by architects Alexandre Ferraz and Elias Souza of Raiz Arquitetura, the 581 m² residence balances privacy and fluidity, resulting in a functional, sophisticated, and welcoming home.
The project is organized into two longitudinal volumes: one more private, dedicated to service and support areas; the other devoted to social life, with spacious and integrated living spaces. This layout enhances the view toward the native forest and allows for a generous double-height ceiling that extends from the entrance hall to the gourmet terrace.
One of the project’s starting points was a 9-meter-wide lateral easement facing west—a factor that directly influenced the implantation strategy. Taking advantage of this generous setback, the architects treated the house as if it were on a corner lot, emphasizing the side façade with large openings and a striking composition of volumes.
The volumetric composition is one of the home’s highlights. The front façade combines a cantilevered volume clad in titanium-colored aluminum slats with a “black box” that houses the upper suites and appears to float above the ground floor. On the side facing the wooded area, vertical aluminum louvers with a wood-like finish filter the afternoon sun, ensuring thermal comfort without compromising transparency. A roof structure with strategic openings frames the ensemble, reinforcing the interplay of solids and voids characteristic of contemporary architecture.
The material palette combines sophistication and naturality, featuring exposed concrete, slatted panels, black window frames, natural wood, and textured cement finishes. The extensive use of glass promotes a direct connection to the side gardens and leisure area, creating seamless transitions between indoors and outdoors. A special highlight is the double-height cumaru wood entrance door, which serves as a striking welcome element.
On the ground floor, the social area opens completely to the gourmet terrace and pool, which includes a lap lane, spa, and waterfall. With an L-shaped retractable closure, the gourmet area can be comfortably used in any weather, integrating seamlessly with the kitchen and providing thermal control. At the back of the lot, a concrete slab structure houses the sauna, gym, changing room, and mechanical room, framing the native vegetation.
The upper floor accommodates five suites, including a master suite with a bath lounge and soaking tub facing the forest. Large window frames provide continuous views and abundant daylight. Circulation on this level is via a suspended walkway connected to a staircase illuminated by a skylight slit, ensuring natural light even on cloudy days.
Built-in carpentry, discreetly integrated into doors and wall panels, lends elegance and subtlety to the interiors—such as in the home theater, which features sliding closures and acoustic insulation for moments of privacy.
Architectural lighting and landscaping play a fundamental role in shaping the atmosphere. Inside, warm and diffused lighting highlights natural materials, enhancing the feeling of coziness. Outdoors, recessed spotlights accentuate the vegetation and highlight the architectural volumes with dynamic plays of light and shadow.
