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Minimalist House Infused With Antiques And Family Artwork

By Simona Ganea | Published on

Designing a house for a client that’s an architect is always a challenge but at the same time this can be a great experience as the client would most know exactly what to request and what to expect. Mi Casa is a project that describes this creative process in a very relevant manner. The residence was designed by Studio [+] Valéria Gontijo and is located in Brasilia, Brazil. The project was completed in 2017 and was a harmonious collaboration in every way. Structurally, the residence is organized into three blocks unified by concrete floors and wooden walls. 

The transition from the indoor living spaces to the exterior areas is seamless and very fluid thanks to the simple and functional design
The transition from the indoor living spaces to the exterior areas is seamless and very fluid thanks to the simple and functional design
Clean volumes and pure geometries are defining elements of everything present on the site, inside and out
Clean volumes and pure geometries are defining elements of everything present on the site, inside and out
The floor and ceiling extend seamlessly to form a frame around the living spaces which acts as a buffer between the house and the garden
The floor and ceiling extend seamlessly to form a frame around the living spaces which acts as a buffer between the house and the garden
The simple and limited palette of materials and colors used throughout the house helps to emphasize the architecture of the building
The simple and limited palette of materials and colors used throughout the house helps to emphasize the architecture of the building

The center of the house is occupied by the social spaces which are defined by transparency and a seamless connection with the outdoors and incorporates a modern kitchen and vast dining and lounging spaces. The living area opens onto a wooden deck, the pool and the garden, welcoming the outdoors in and featuring a very dynamic relationship with the exterior ensured by a series of sliding doors and walls. The other volumes of the house feature pivoting wood panels which establish a similar indoor-outdoor relationship. What initially seemed a cold concrete house has proven to be a very welcoming home with a very harmonious design defined by clear and simple geometries and a blend of practical and timeless beauty.

There's a constant connection between the indoor and the outdoor which is expressed differently based on the function of a space
There’s a constant connection between the indoor and the outdoor which is expressed differently based on the function of the space
The pool adds a tranquil and serene vibe to the property and helps to also give the house a timeless look
The pool adds a tranquil and serene vibe to the property and helps to also give the house a timeless look
The interior design of the house is infused with personal accent pieces and decorations
The interior design of the house is infused with personal accent pieces and decorations
The owner's personal taste is reflected into a series of antiques and pieces gathered on trips throughout the years
The owner’s personal taste is reflected into a series of antiques and pieces gathered on trips throughout the years
The interior design is a harmonious blend of functional, elegant and timeless pieces and decorations
The interior design is a harmonious blend of functional, elegant and timeless pieces and decorations
An open gourmet kitchen with soothing warm lighting is placed at one end of the open plan living zone
An open gourmet kitchen with soothing warm lighting is placed at one end of the open plan living zone
The house was designed in such a way as to ensure a close and harmonious relationship between the living spaces and the garden
The house was designed in such a way as to ensure a close and harmonious relationship between the living spaces and the garden
Although limited to a few simple materials and colors, the interior design doesn't lack diversity or character
Although limited to a few simple materials and colors, the interior design doesn’t lack diversity or character
The owner's personal collection of artwork and antique furniture makes each room of the house feel special
The owner’s personal collection of artwork and antique furniture makes each room of the house feel special
Glass walls, sliding doors and pivoting panels allow the interior spaces to open up to the outdoors
Glass walls, sliding doors and pivoting panels allow the interior spaces to open up to the outdoors
These pivoting wood panels can offer a flexible level of privacy for the indoor areas based on the users' needs
These pivoting wood panels can offer a flexible level of privacy for the indoor areas based on the users’ needs
In addition to allowing panoramic views to be admired from inside the house, the sliding and pivoting panels also bring natural light inside
In addition to offering beautiful views the sliding and pivoting panels also bring natural light inside the house
The garden views can also be enjoyed from the private areas of the house, including the bathrooms
The garden views can also be enjoyed from the private areas of the house, including the bathrooms
The openness and transparency of the social area contrasts with the more private and contained nature of the other volumes
The openness and transparency of the social area contrasts with the more private and contained nature of the other volumes