Emphasis on biodiversity
Surrounded by the lush vegetation of the Atlantic Forest on the coast of Rio de Janeiro, this landscape design accompanies the creation of a new seaside retreat overlooking the Angra dos Reis archipelago. Set within a 7,000m2site, the project preserves an almost untouched environment of towering trees, native tropical flora, and striking rock formations.
Design Philosophy
As an integral part of the architectural ensemble, the landscape design embraces a naturalistic approach. Its aim is to emulate the spontaneity of native vegetation, foster biodiversity, and evoke the ecosystems characteristic of the Atlantic Forest -as if the plantings had always existed in place. Guided by a Japanese philosophy of immersion, the design follows five principles (the “5 I’s”): it should be inexplicable, needing no rational justification; imperfect, finding beauty in asymmetry and irregularity; intuitive, shaped by sensitivity rather than logic; intriguing, inviting curiosity; and unpredictable, reflecting the organic, ever-changing nature of life.
Landscape Design
These ideas take form in two distinct areas. The first, at the base of the mountain, is introspective and immersed in dense forest. The second is open and sunlit, situated in a clearing that encourages social interaction and contemplation of the ocean and islands on the horizon.
Arrival is possible either by sea, at a private pier that extends over calm waters, or by land, via a winding mountain road that leads to the upper entrance. At this highest point, a lush garden greets visitors and sets the tone for what follows. Notable species include Calathea lutea (Maranta charuto), Philodendron undulatum (Filodendro-ondulado), Chamaedorea erumpens (Palmeira-bambu), and Maranta burle-marxii.
The architecture, slightly elevated above the ground, is softened by groupings of Philodendron bipinnatifidum (Guaimbê), which conceal the stone walls and create the impression that the house emerges directly from the landscape. Vegetation also serves as a natural filter between the veranda and the lawn, while large rocks maintain the site’s original character.
Spatial Organization
A careful interplay of heights, volumes, and textures ensures a fluid transition from the shrub layer to the forest canopy. The sinuous pool, designed to follow the natural contours of the land, acts as a visual mediator between the built environment and its surroundings. From the clearing, stone pathways guide residents through a sequence of experiences -alternating between open, sunlit clearings and shaded passages beneath dense foliage.
Near the pool, a large native tree provides shade to a comfortable outdoor lounge, while on the upper level, the hallway connecting the bedrooms opens toward the rear of the property, revealing the varied topography and biodiversity. From the balconies, which face the ocean, the garden unfolds below as a living extension of the forested landscape.