House CF | Ibiúna, Brazil

Coherent integration

This project was born from a heartfelt desire: a young family with two children seeking a countryside retreat that could offer warmth, togetherness, and functionality. The starting point was an existing house, whose structure proved insufficient to accommodate an ambitious program that included five suites, a game room, gym, sauna, wine cellar, and gourmet area, among other spaces. The challenge lay in enhancing the original architecture while expanding it in a sensitive, coherent, and contemporary way.

Design Philosophy

The intervention was significant, involving both structural changes and a renewed connection with nature. Part of the original roof was preserved to honor the home’s architectural language, while new spaces were introduced through volumes constructed of glued laminated timber -a key feature of the new design. This material brought both structural lightness and aesthetic fluidity, reinforcing the visual and functional integration between areas such as the master suite, gym, and sauna, all linked by a pergola.

Functional Organization

The interior layout was completely reimagined to incorporate five suites. The once narrow hallway leading to the private quarters was enhanced with shed-style skylights, bringing in natural light and transforming a transitional space into one of quality and comfort. The former kitchen was redesigned around a central island and opened up to the living area, creating a hybrid space suitable for both intimate family meals and professional-level cooking. This flexibility extends to the adaptable partitions, which allow for both open-plan living and private moments.

A previously disproportionate mezzanine above the old living room was removed to make way for a new glued laminated timber volume housing a playful, versatile children’s suite. The fireplace, now a focal point, anchors a fluid living space organized around a custom-designed piece that combines concrete and fine joinery. This multifunctional element seamlessly accommodates dining, lounging, games, and wine storage, adapting to the needs of each setting.

Landscape Design & Materials

One of the project’s key features is the expanded terrace. A new structure with black-painted metal beams contrasts with wood and aluminum elements to create a sense of visual lightness and openness. The pool area flows into the interior through a continuous rustic granite floor, reinforcing the home’s seamless indoor-outdoor integration. The landscape design complements the architecture by connecting natural elements with built forms. It creates moments of visual respite, strengthens the bond between indoor and outdoor spaces, and reinforces the continuity of the architectural vision.

Material choices reflect a dialogue between rustic charm and contemporary design. Green hydraulic tiles in the bathrooms and black hexagonal flooring in the kitchen add character, while reclaimed wood brings warmth to bedrooms and corridors. Repurposed wood was also used for bathroom countertops, emphasizing the project’s sustainable ethos. A notable technical solution was the introduction of shed-style openings above narrow corridors, ensuring natural light and spatial quality in these often-overlooked areas. Throughout the home, bespoke carpentry -designed by the architectural studio and executed by a local craftsman- serves as a unifying thread, carefully tailoring each space.