House in Cunha
Located in the rural area of Cunha – São Paulo, high in the Serra do Mar mountains, this residence occupies a privileged position at the top of a hill, with wide, unobstructed views in every direction. The design stems from the desire to emphasize the continuous horizon of the landscape, creating a constant dialogue between the built space and the distant view.
The architectural concept organizes the house as a journey, almost like a guided walk through different frames of the landscape. At each movement, new perspectives open up over the mountain range, valleys, and the ever-changing sky of the highlands. One of the central elements of this experience is the corner windows, glass meeting glass, which dissolve the physical boundary and expand visual continuity, reinforcing the sensation of immersion in the natural surroundings.
The volumetry unfolds in blocks of varying sizes and heights. This variation establishes a hierarchy of uses — from the expansive social areas to the more private spaces — while at the same time creating a dialogue with the rugged topography. The house does not seek to mimic the mountain, but integrates with it through the staggered arrangement of volumes and the firm stone base that anchors the construction to the terrain. In contrast, the wooden deck projects lightly over the slope, thrusting the observer toward the horizon. Its slender structure creates a sensation of suspension, heightening the experience of the landscape.
The materiality draws on references from old Brazilian farmhouses, reinterpreted without romanticism. Stone flooring, plastered and whitewashed masonry, stone foundations, and wooden frames compose a palette that recalls the rural universe, yet is organized according to the principles of contemporary architecture. This dialogue between the vernacular and the contemporary is reinforced by central gathering elements such as the large fireplace and the traditional red wood-burning stove, which warm and enliven the interior spaces.
Inside, the house privileges natural light and cross-ventilation, allowing the typical climatic and luminous variations of the highlands to be part of everyday life. The spaces are arranged to offer different modes of contemplation — whether the distant views of the mountains or the close contact with the native vegetation surrounding the construction.
The result is a house that inhabits the landscape assertively, yet without competing with it. The architecture acts as a mediator between body and territory, guiding sight and movement, and creating a balanced relationship between permanence and contemplation. It is a project that reaffirms the ability of architecture to transform the experience of place, enhancing the landscape and the way of life it inspires.
