Contemporary House With A Folding Wood Facade And Interior Garden

When the site and the surroundings allow it, architects and interior designs try as much as possible to establish a smooth dialogue between the internal and external spaces and to expose the interior to the views and the beauty of the outdoors. The strategies they use differ every time, depending on the unique conditions on the site as well as the layout and design of the building or space.

MCNY House facade
The house is characterized by simplicity but it isn’t by any means boring
MCNY House elevated deck
It sits on a clean site free of large trees and slopes
MCNY House concrete garden planters
The entire building is elevated, including the decks and terraces

The MCNY House is a private residence located in Franca, Sao Paulo. It was completed in 2016 by mf+arquitectos, a studio established in 2009 but which only recently adopted the current name in the current form. They take on a variety of projects which vary from residential to industrial and also commercial. The team is an adept of the idea of integrating the interior with the exterior and also of impregnating a space with the charm and uniqueness of the materials used in its design.

MCNY House kitchen and dining zone
The indoor-outdoor relationship was a very important detail in the project
MCNY House pergola deck
The internal spaces are connected to the garden through a series of folding wood panels
MCNY House swimming pool
The panels act like shutters, completely enclosing the house when desired

The entire structure sits on an area of 516 square meters and is defined by simple lines and volumes. The materials used throughout include wood, concrete, stone as well as Corten steel. Together, they become an expression of Brasilian modernism.

MCNY House pool and lawn at night
The private rooms are lined up along the lawn, facing the pool
MCNY House lawn and wooden walls
They have direct access to a long terrace that links them and transitions to the garden
MCNY House folding bedroom walls
The folding wooden panels can be opened to reveal glass walls
MCNY House poolside deck
The pool sits perpendicularly to the bedrooms, featuring an adjacent wooden deck

In order to establish the strong and seamless connection between the internal and external spaces, the architects wrapped the house in a series of folding wooden panels which act like shutters. They can be closed off for better insulation or increased privacy and can also be opened up exposing the internal spaces to the garden, the pool and the rest of the outdoor areas.

MCNY House sliding doors with curtains
The deck becomes an extension of the internal social spaces
MCNY House long terrace
The living area and dining space can be fully opened to the outdoors

All the rooms feature this type of folding shell exterior. The panels are an added layer that forms the exterior facade of the building and offers it a cohesive and harmonious look both as a standalone structure as well as in relation to its surroundings.

MCNY House garden wall
The living and dining areas have their own little garden
MCNY House interior garden
The garden is lush and beautiful and has a perforated ceiling
MCNY House social area with garden
The garden can be hidden behind long curtains whenever desired

The main social spaces are the living room and dining area. They share the same space and they’re characterized by wooden flooring, a wooden accent wall that matches the flexible facade panels and a series of full-height glass windows that reveal an adjacent interior garden with lush vegetation and a perforated roof section that lets light filter in.

MCNY House lounge area
An area rug delineates the lounge space
MCNY House folding wall
A separate social zone sits at the end of the floor plan
MCNY House kitchen corner
The other social space is a sort of cozy man-cave
MCNY House kitchen island
It has a bar, exposed brick walls and direct access to the outdoor areas

There’s a second social area which formed of a bar and dining table with classic chairs. It has exposed brick walls, a wooden ceiling, tiled floor and a ceiling-mounted fireplace that creates a really inviting ambiance.

MCNY House closed facade
Seen from the outside, the residence doesn’t stand out much