House in Cerrado
The House in the Cerrado stems from a careful understanding of the landscape and its dynamics. Located in Moita Santa de Cima, a small village in the municipality of Ansião, the setting is in a rural landscape defined by dry-stone walls that delimit the agricultural fields, describing the relationship between the built and the natural. This landscape, shaped by agriculture and herding over the centuries, guides the placement and expression of the house.
The house is not an isolated object but rather an extension of the surrounding land. It takes tectonics as a principle, matter as expression, and constructive precision as a guiding principle. Architecture reflects a commitment to the place, the program, and the available means, where tradition and innovation coexist. Adapted to the natural slope, the house subtly separates the social area from the private area, creating a fluid and functional living experience. The building’s mass integrates seamlessly with the terrain. At the same time, the chimney, a vertical element, transcends its technical function and asserts itself as a landmark, evoking vernacular architecture as a symbol of shelter and permanence. The porch, by extending the living space outward, filters the light and resumes the logic of the region’s authentic elements.
Materiality establishes a dialogue between tradition and innovation. The white plaster made from white cement and selected aggregates imparts texture and luminosity to the volume, ensuring both protection and durability. The roof combines slate granules with wood, providing strength and tectonic identity. The austere chimney contrasts with the lightness of the white volume, while the red door stands out as a striking point of transition.
Constructive clarity within space is shown through the straightforward display of materials. The exposed wooden beams define the geometry of the roof, providing rhythm and unity. The social area — living room, kitchen, and dining room — creates a continuous space, promoting interaction and connection with the exterior. The exposed wooden ceiling unifies the spaces, while niches and corners create moments of introspection and functionality. Three bedrooms, including a suite, ensure comfort and privacy.
Strategically positioned openings connect the interior to the outside, allowing ample daylight, effective cross-ventilation, and picturesque views of the nearby scenery. The sustainable approach favours passive solutions that reduce energy consumption and minimize thermal losses, promoting comfort throughout the year. The choice of low-impact materials reinforces the longevity of the construction and its integration with the place.
Each detail was designed with precision and a minimalist approach, resulting in an architecture where every action has purpose and significance. A commitment to simplicity goes hand in hand with the sophistication of detail and reinforces it. The House in the Cerrado is more than a building – it is a conscious exercise of adaptation to the site, the program, and the available conditions, in a synthesis between tradition and contemporaneity. The balance between formal precision, expressiveness of materials, and adaptation to the place results in a timeless spatiality.
