Contemporary House In Brazil Designed For Maximum Flexibility and Adaptability

It may not look that special from the outside but this beautiful house in Brazil has a really cool design and an inspiring plan behind it. The house was designed by studio Julian Risso Arquitetura and was completed in 2019. 

The site on which the house is built has a slope which was elegantly accounted for in the design
The site on which the house is built has a slope which was elegantly accounted for in the design

It occupies an urban plot of 1,000 square meters which leaves enough room for a garden, a swimming pool and a series of inviting outdoor spaces around the house itself. As far as the interior is concerned, the key element here is flexibility. This stood at the base of the entire project and influences the design at the core. As a result, the house is constructed as a series of overlapping volumes which serve a series of distinct functions but that also aim to be as flexible and as versatile as possible. 

Both the exterior and interior design are simple and contemporary and make use of warm and neutral colors
Both the exterior and interior design are simple and contemporary and make use of warm and neutral colors
The upper floor extends over the side overhanging over the poolside deck
The upper floor extends over the side overhanging over the poolside deck

Rather than separating the interior into areas with very specific functions, the designers wanted to give the owners the possibility to use these spaces in a variety of different ways and to be able to change and adapt the way in which they use their home as a whole over time as their needs and lifestyle change. The underground is dedicated to areas such as the garage, the storage space and all the technical areas. That leaves the two floors open for all the other spaces.

The ground floor social areas have free and easy access outdoors
The ground floor social areas have free and easy access outdoors

The ground floor is where the social and leisure areas are situated and it’s the volume that has the strongest and most seamless connection to the outdoors. The living areas can be completely open up to the garden and the swimming pool. That leaves the upper floor which houses the master suite, the children’s suites and a home office. The bedrooms have their own balconies with views over the garden below and the green roof on the bottom floor. 

The property is bordered by a low fence and the view from the upper floor is not obstructed by it
The property is bordered by a low fence and the view from the upper floor is not obstructed by it
There's not really an abundance of greenery on the site but nature still plays an important role in the design
There’s not really an abundance of greenery on the site but nature still plays an important role in the design
The ground floor as a whole is a large and open space that allows for flexibility and lots of usage scenarios
The ground floor as a whole is a large and open space that allows for flexibility and lots of usage scenarios
The library and the bar are seamlessly integrated into the social areas which makes the ground floor feel cohesive
The library and the bar are seamlessly integrated into the social areas which makes the ground floor feel cohesive
The palette of materials and colors throughout the interior is warm and subdued
The palette of materials and colors throughout the interior is warm and subdued
The dining area features a big round table for a more welcoming and intimate experience
The dining area features a big round table for a more welcoming and intimate experience
The open and flexible layout aims to maximize the opportunities of use rather than to impose certain scenarios
The open and flexible layout aims to maximize the opportunities of use rather than to impose certain scenarios
The kitchen has a very bright and open feel thanks to the white subway tiles and blue accents
The kitchen has a very bright and open feel thanks to the white subway tiles and blue accents
Large sliding glass doors allow access to the garden and the outdoor deck areas
Large sliding glass doors allow access to the garden and the outdoor deck areas
The upper volume stands out the most and is most visible from the street
The upper volume stands out the most and is most visible from the street

Photographs: Felipe Araujo