“…is the project of a backyard in Brazil. The trees are all fruit-bearing, and the ground is swept dirt. There is a water tank and a pit for dead leaves and rotten fruits, to produce compost. The fruits are for eating and attracting birds. The house will have two rooms: one in the shade and another in the sun.”
[Text by Paulo Mendes da Rocha from the initial sketches of the project]
The a.p. project, which was made in collaboration with Paulo Mendes da Rocha, is divided into three floors, with two of them positioned at a level above the street, resulting in a spacious and well-lit construction, in a design that seeks to make the most of the plot allowed by the legislation.
The house’s volumetrics are characterized by a gradual stepping, with its structure starting from six cast-in-place reinforced concrete pillars, with walls made of concrete blocks.
The basement has an open floor plan, including the garage space, a diverse orchard, and the circulation box. The vertical circulation of the house consists of an internal concrete staircase and a hydraulic elevator, complemented by two external metal staircases located at opposite ends of the plot.
The first floor of the house is characterized by social and service spaces, such as the living and dining rooms, the breakfast area, the kitchen, and the laundry room, as well as two spacious balconies positioned on opposite facades. The balcony opening onto the east facade is close to the living areas and allows residents to experience their daily lives at the height of the tree canopy in the orchard. The second floor is used for the private areas, with three spacious suites.
Technical INFORMATION
Project Date: 2001
Construction Execution: 2003-2005
Architect: Paulo Mendes da Rocha
Collaborators: Gustavo Cedroni, Martin Corullon, Joana Elito, Anna Ferrari
Structure: Zaven Kurkdjian
Installations: MA2 Engenharia
Construction: Eng. Ary Breinis
Land Area: 930 m2
Built Area: 790 m2