The house sits atop a strip of land on a hill 10 km from the urban perimeter of Matias
Barbosa in Minas Gerais, Brazil. It consists of a small pavilion with 70m² of indoor space extended by an additional 70m² of veranda and terrace. Raised 40 cm above the ground on exposed foundation beams, the elevated side walls enable dry-stone infill, facilitating ventilation of the interior.
The wooden structures were crafted from repurposed railway sleepers and assembled by local labor. The design is organized around four modules of 2.80 meters each, a measurement based on the sleeper length. Smaller service areas are grouped as a thermal barrier to block the northwestern sun, protecting the primary living spaces. The southeastern side is thus free to host 30m² of glass, capturing the morning light and framing the view of the surrounding hills.
Over jequitibá wood planks, two distinct roofs were built: one roof for the main house and a concrete slab that creates a double extension—veranda and terrace—serving as transitional spaces between the home and the landscape.
To support the fibro cement roof, rafters spaced at 1.20 meters are directly attached to the walls and the central composite beam. An insulating air pocket, composed of an underlayment, counter-battens, and embedded rafters, allows for the passage of electrical and plumbing systems.
The other wooden boarding, used as formwork for reinforced concrete, remains as the ceiling finish. The wood is bonded to the concrete with nail connectors, with only the slab's edge demolded. The slab rests on concrete columns embedded in the masonry and on whole railway sleepers acting as permanent props.
Pigment powder and waterproofing additive were mixed into the plaster, eliminating the need for additional painting. The sleeper wood, durable in both interior and exterior settings, serves as pillars, beams, stairs, trim, floor joints, sunbreakers, railings, and table. Baseboards were crafted from offcuts of the planed planks.
The gap between the roof and the slab allows natural light and ventilation into the primary living spaces.
