This urban house is positioned in a gated community in Sao Paolo, Brazil. Architect Marcelo Sodré has tired to make the most of the offered corner plot and quite steep slope. He also wanted to satisfy the owners’; need for a layout that would market the interaction of the residents, as effectively as for a timeless design and style that would preserve its modernity over the years. The retained design was the one that counteracted the unfavorable characteristics of the topography and maximized its utilization. Hence a terraced structure took shape, beginning from the lowest level of the interior courtyard and going up to the street level and higher to the top floor level. There is a vertical hierarchy of the functions as properly, starting with utility/service spaces on the reduced floor, the social location on the ground floor and the intimate, night space on the upper floor. The entrance walkway and the back courtyard full the design and style, creating a good balance among indoors and outdoors for an urban atmosphere. The numerous terraces are covered with vegetation of diverse heights, ranging from lawn to small bushes and greater trees. A single crucial feature of the design and style is the visual openness of the ground floor, whose sliding glass walls permit for the indoors to merge with the outdoors. On the street corner, a stone wall creates the first terrace level protecting the house at the same time.
The privacy of the entrance and of the upper floor is protected by slatted wood facades. These facades slide or fold open when required to produce access or to let the light in.
The ground floor is characterized by wide open spaces and by the lack of visual barriers amongst indoors and outdoors. This layout favors social interaction and encourage the maximum utilization of the space.
The private quarters are protected against views by rich curtains. The caramel wood of the floors and furniture produce a warm and cozy interior, in spite of the minimalistic style method.
