A Small And Simple Summer House Shielded By Tall Trees and Vegetation

The OZ House is a small and lovely summer retreat located on the outskirts of Sao Roque in Brazil. The site is flat and didn’t present any particular challenges in this regard which allowed the architects to focus on the needs of their clients. This was a project completed in 2013 and developed by studio Andrade Morettin Arquitetos Associados.

The living area has access to an open wooden deck which can be used as an external sitting area
The living area has access to an open wooden deck which can be used as an external sitting area

The general idea was to create a small house which could be used for short stays during the summertime. As such, the architects envisioned it as a sort of enclosed pavilion, a structure which remains open to the views of the landscape but also offer its inhabitants privacy and comfort. 

The house has a simple rectangular shape with blue metal panels framing it and giving it character
The house has a simple rectangular shape with blue metal panels framing it and giving it character

The house was constructed out of exposed concrete and wood, with metal tiles for the roof and the facade cladding. Polystyrene filling was also used in order to offer proper thermal protection and to ensure that the interior stays cool and comfortable during the hot summer days.

The site is flat and that made it easy to design and build the house without being challenged by the topography
The site is flat and that made it easy to design and build the house without being challenged by the topography

The northern side of the house is closed off with polycarbonate panels to block the sun for the same reason. As far as the overall shape and the interior of the house are concerned, the areas inside are arranged in a linear layout. 

The glazed walls and sliding glass doors allow the living area to be exposed to a view of the beautiful green surroundings
The glazed walls and sliding glass doors allow the living area to be exposed to a view of the beautiful green surroundings
The wooden floors and exposed ceiling beams create a feeling of coziness and comfort inside the house
The wooden floors and exposed ceiling beams create a feeling of coziness and comfort inside the house

The interior is comprised of two bedrooms and a living area with an integrated kitchen which is enough for short stays. The modest size and the simplicity of the design allow this to be a low-maintenance retreat. 

All the vegetation on the site and around the house create an ideal environment for relaxing summer getaways
All the vegetation on the site and around the house create an ideal environment for relaxing summer getaways
The tall trees arranged in a perfect line behind the house offer shade during the day and partially block the view as well
The tall trees arranged in a perfect line behind the house offer shade during the day and partially block the view as well
The two bedrooms and the living area are arranged symmetrically in a line, keeping the overall design and structure of the house very simple
The two bedrooms and the living area are arranged symmetrically in a line, keeping the overall design and structure of the house very simple
The design, structure and the materials used throughout the project requite little maintenance which is exactly what a summer house needs
The design, structure and the materials used throughout the project requite little maintenance which is exactly what a summer house needs