- Project: Sussurro House
- Architect: Davide Andracco
- Location: Brazil, São Miguel do Gostoso
- Year: 2023
- Area: 283 m2
- Photography: Andrew Franca
A Whisper of Design in Harmony with Nature
Amid the swaying palm trees and tranquil breezes of São Miguel do Gostoso, Sussurro House by Davide Andracco Architetto redefines coastal living through contemporary design deeply rooted in its tropical context. True to its name—Sussurro, meaning whisper in Italian—the residence speaks softly through light, texture, and proportion, creating a dialogue between architecture and nature.
Designed for an Italo-Brazilian family, this 283-square-meter retreat balances elegance, comfort, and environmental sensitivity. The home is oriented east–west to capture the Atlantic trade winds and natural daylight, embracing passive cooling and soft illumination throughout the day.
A Contemporary Composition Along the Coast
The architecture unfolds in three distinct volumes, each defining the house’s spatial and visual rhythm:
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The heart of the home is a vast living and dining area with an island kitchen—an open social hub beneath a 3.6-meter-high ceiling. This luminous space connects seamlessly to the outdoors through expansive openings, encouraging family interaction and a fluid transition between interior and exterior living.
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The central stone-clad volume accommodates services and installations, distinguishing itself through material contrast and subtle height variation. Its local stone finish grounds the structure within its natural surroundings.
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The private wing houses three suites and an additional guest room, each enjoying privacy, independence, and a strong relationship with light and views.
Together, these zones create a sequence of experiences, from communal gathering to tranquil retreat, all linked by the soft breeze and filtered light that define coastal life.
Material Language: Texture, Light, and Craft
Davide Andracco infuses the home with a restrained material palette that celebrates both Mediterranean and Brazilian sensibilities. The design relies on local craftsmanship and natural materials to achieve timelessness and authenticity.
Walls are 60 cm thick, built with double layers for enhanced insulation and acoustic comfort. Handmade iron frames, 2.5 meters high, allow generous daylight and cross-ventilation while adding artisanal character. The grey micro-cement flooring reflects natural light and complements the minimalist interior, while the neutral palette amplifies spatial calm and visual continuity.
An external stone volume, reminiscent of Andracco’s Mediterranean heritage, houses bathrooms and technical areas. This sculptural block anchors the composition and contrasts elegantly with the home’s softer concrete and plaster finishes.
The Living Veranda: Threshold Between Inside and Out
A spacious veranda wraps around the main living area, creating an open-air extension for dining, relaxing, and gathering. Supported by exposed beams, it frames views of a garden rich with native Brazilian flora, bringing greenery, shade, and movement to the daily rhythm of the home.
The flat roof and panoramic terrace complete the structure, offering elevated views of the tropical landscape—a serene platform for sunrise meditations or evening contemplation.
Climate-Responsive and Context-Driven Design
From orientation to material selection, Sussurro House is a model of context-sensitive architecture. Its layout maximizes cross-ventilation, solar shading, and thermal insulation, ensuring comfort year-round without reliance on mechanical systems.
Every design decision—from the placement of openings to the balance of solid and void—reflects a desire to blend with the landscape rather than dominate it. The result is a living environment that is both luxurious and ecological, a sanctuary attuned to the rhythm of the coast.
A Mediterranean Soul in a Brazilian Landscape
Through Sussurro House, Davide Andracco Architetto fuses Mediterranean purity with Brazilian exuberance. The project’s clean lines, natural textures, and intimate connection to the landscape offer a new expression of tropical modernism—architecture as a whisper, gentle yet powerful in its dialogue with nature.
