This simple house blooms like a flower in the dry Cerrado biome of Brazil. A couple seeking a peaceful, natural environment commissioned this secluded sanctuary just 15 minutes from downtown Brasília. Situated on a 2,000-square-meter plot, the 375-square-meter architectural design extends outward gracefully.
The home is composed of four distinct volumes, linked by a grid of square modules surrounding an open internal courtyard at its core.
Each “box-like” volume serves a different function, creating varied spatial and visual experiences. The first volume houses the garage and service areas. The second contains the TV room, office, and master suite. The third includes two bedrooms, a shared bathroom, a toilet, and a studio. Lastly, the living room, dining room, and kitchen form a fully integrated space with the balcony through sliding glass doors.
Walking around the house reveals different perspectives. At the circular entrance, you are greeted by a garden and swimming pool. The separated volumes allow views of the exterior as you move clockwise around the courtyard, creating a spatial connection between inside and outside.
Honoring the site’s “ancient residents,” an Ipê tree, originally growing on the construction site, was replanted as a sculptural centerpiece in the courtyard. The extensive use of full-height glass allows natural light and fresh air to penetrate from all directions. The courtyard is enhanced by pathways, gardens, and water features that humidify the environment and reflect the sky, bringing nature inside.
The house was built using cost-effective materials and construction techniques. It features a mixed structural system supported by metal beams and concrete columns. The exterior brick and stone walls are painted a light earthy tone, contrasting with the sky, while the white interior walls emphasize the artworks and furnishings.
The flooring throughout the home is primarily cement, with gray granite used in humid areas. Marine plywood lines the interior, creating a seamless flow that extends into the kitchen cabinetry and custom bookshelves designed for the homeowner’s collection.
Solar panels provide year-round heating for water and the swimming pool. The interior exudes a playful, childlike charm, featuring works by architect Samuel Lamas and renowned designers from Brazil and abroad. The landscape design by Mariana Siqueira integrates native trees and local plants, reflecting the rich biodiversity of the Cerrado biome.
Project Drawings
△ Plan View
△ Roof Plan
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Architect: Equipe Lamas
Project Year: 2022
Photographer: Joana França
Manufacturers: Deca, Eliane, Lamas Design, Objeto Casa
Lead Architect: Samuel Lamas
Project Team: Anna Albano, Camila Abrahão, Bruna Trivelli
Landscape Design: Jardins de Cerrado, Mariana Siqueira
Lighting Design: Samuel Lamas
Interior Design: Casulo Arquitetura + Samuel Lamas
Artwork: Galeria Karla Osório
Structural Project: Vitória
Sawmill: Valderon Gonçalves
Execution: Gustavo Stival
Painter: Ademasso Rocha
Location: Brasília, Brazil
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up