- Project: House Villas
- Architect: Taguá Arquitetura
- Location: Brazil
- Year: 2021
- Area: 202 m2
- Photography: Leonardo Giantomasi
A Compact Modern Haven Rooted in Simplicity and Light
House Villas by Taguá Arquitetura exemplifies how thoughtful design can transform a modest footprint into a spatially rich and visually open home. Set on a 400 m² curved plot, this single-story residence captures the essence of modern Brazilian living — open, warm, and intimately connected to its landscape.
“A compact house that makes the best use of the plot,” was the guiding principle shared by the client. From this idea, Taguá Arquitetura crafted a composition that balances efficiency with elegance.
Design Concept: Two Solids and a Central Void
Responding to the irregular shape of the site, the architects organized the plan into two solid rectangular blocks positioned along the property’s lateral setbacks, framing a central void that becomes the heart of the home.
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South Block: the service wing, positioned where the buildable area was more restricted by zoning.
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North Block: the private wing, housing bedrooms and bathrooms, oriented to capture light while maintaining privacy.
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Central Zone: an open social core, with the living, dining, gourmet, and pool areas visually and spatially integrated.
This arrangement not only optimizes the site but also generates a linear flow of spaces, encouraging visual connections from front to back. Through this void, the home breathes — light, air, and nature circulate freely between the two flanking volumes.
The Butterfly Roof: Lightness and Identity
A defining feature of House Villas is its striking butterfly roof over the main social area. Crafted in steel and lined with rich Cumaru and Peroba wood, the roof appears to float effortlessly, bringing in soft indirect daylight through its elevated central ridge.
The metallic structure offers both lightness and strength, while its wooden underside infuses the interiors with warmth and tactile richness. The contrast of steel precision and timber warmth perfectly encapsulates the home’s dual character — industrial elegance and natural comfort.
Material Palette: Warmth, Texture, and Transparency
Taguá Arquitetura’s design celebrates material honesty and sensory harmony. The use of glass, metal, and wood defines the home’s aesthetic, each element chosen for its ability to connect indoors and outdoors seamlessly.
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Wooden wall panels line the interiors, enhancing acoustic comfort and visual continuity.
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A vertical garden in the dining area introduces lush greenery, softening the modern geometry and reinforcing the indoor-outdoor connection.
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The pool, laid out in a narrow lap shape, ensures year-round sunlight, extending from the gourmet space to the garden beyond.
Every element works together to frame nature, whether through reflections on the water, the texture of the wooden ceiling, or the filtered light that shifts throughout the day.
Spatial Flow and Living Experience
From the street, the double-leaf slatted wooden door opens directly into a sequence of transparencies — revealing the living area, gourmet space, and pool beyond. This axial perspective establishes a powerful sense of openness, transforming arrival into experience.
The living, dining, and kitchen zones merge under the butterfly canopy, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that fully retract to erase the threshold between indoors and outdoors. When open, the house transforms into one continuous social landscape, perfect for gatherings, family life, and contemplation of the sunset.
The gourmet pavilion, positioned at the back, offers panoramic views of the horizon and connects fluidly to the pool deck, conceived as an elevated solarium that doubles as a lookout platform over the surrounding landscape.
Compact Yet Expansive
Despite its modest scale, House Villas feels expansive due to its visual permeability and smart zoning. The architects demonstrate that luxury is not in size, but in proportion, light, and atmosphere.
This project stands as a testament to Taguá Arquitetura’s mastery of Brazilian modern domestic design—a balance of minimalism, warmth, and the ever-present dialogue with the natural world.
