Urban Residence Lets Nature In Through Its Glazed Facades

Most urban residences are defined by a relationship with nature limited to the size of the plot and greatly diminished by all the neighboring structures and the local context. In some cases the design manages to push through all these barriers and to go beyond what’s expected of them. An example is this residence from Sao Paulo, Brazil. It was built in 2016, the project being developed by Simone Mantovani Arquitetura.

This urban house is situated on a flat and simple plot of land with close neighboring buildings
This urban house is situated on a flat and simple plot of land with close neighboring buildings
The structure and the design of the house have been adapted to balance out views and privacy
The structure and the design of the house have been adapted to balance out views and privacy
The street-facing section of the site is framed by a tall, solid wall which ensures maximum privacy
The street-facing section of the site is framed by a tall, solid wall which ensures maximum privacy

This urban residence is organized on two floors. It has ample rooms filled with natural sunlight and a surprising amount of privacy. Speaking of privacy, the design, layout and orientation of the spaces have been carefully planned with this detail in mind, hence the tall fence which conceals the street-facing part of the site.

The internal spaces are open and bright, with layouts focused on openness and simplicity
The internal spaces are open and bright, with layouts focused on openness and simplicity
Although the living area lacks a tall ceiling, this doesn't stop it from being bright and open
Although the living area lacks a tall ceiling, this doesn’t stop it from being bright and open

The social area is facing the backyard garden and that ensures a comfortable degree of privacy. Also, this orientation allowed large sliding glass doors and huge openings to be installed. Their role is to ensure a smooth and seamless transition between the indoor and outdoor spaces, to open up the spaces to tranquil views of the pool and the garden and to let in lots of natural sunlight and fresh colors.

The close relationship with the outdoors is emphasized numerous times throughout the house in various ways
The close relationship with the outdoors is emphasized numerous times throughout the house in various ways
The internal spaces are organized on two floors, with the social areas situated on the ground level
The internal spaces are organized on two floors, with the social areas situated on the ground level
The transition and connection between the indoor and the outdoor spaces is very natural and seamless
The transition and connection between the indoor and the outdoor spaces is very natural and seamless

As far as the color palette is concerned, the interior spaces are decorated mostly in neutral tones such as grey and beige with warm wood features and the occasional metal accents. The glazed sections being the garden inside and with it all the freshness and the vibrant colors.

The chromatic palette featured inside the house is limited mostly to neutrals with a focus on green accents
The chromatic palette featured inside the house is limited mostly to neutrals with a focus on green accents
Huge sliding glass doors open up the dining area to the adjacent terrace and to the backyard garden
Huge sliding glass doors open up the dining area to the adjacent terrace and to the backyard garden
The interior spaces are framed by nature in one way or another and their neutral colors blend well with the green
The interior spaces are framed by nature in one way or another and their neutral colors blend well with the green

A steel plate staircase connects the two floors while also functioning as a divider between spaces. Its design is simple and sculptural and this allows it to stand out without overpowering the decor. Moreover, the metal is continuously balanced out with wood elements for a harmonious and pleasant look.

Warm wood elements are beautifully spread throughout the house in various forms. They add elegance and style
Warm wood elements are beautifully spread throughout the house in various forms. They add elegance and style
The staircase introduces metal into the decor and is balanced out by a wood-paneled accent wall
The staircase introduces metal into the decor and is balanced out by a wood-paneled accent wall