MCZ House in Cristais Paulista

Single block

The 400m2 residence is located in the city of Franca and is seamlessly integrated with the area’s natural surrounding forming a direct relationship between the interior and exterior scenery.

Project Philosophy

The project’s concept is to create a layout where each room can enjoy the views of the garden and the horizon, thus highlighting the wide 50m plot that surrounds the residence. By designing the structure as a single block running in parallel with the access road and the back garden, the need for multiple walls is eliminated. In addition, the parallel layout made construction easier due to the sloping topography, avoiding major earthworks and optimising the local resources. The bedrooms are situated on the ground floor, while the upper floor is where all the social areas of the house are located, taking advantage of the 360-degree view.

Façade Design & Materials

The front façade is primarily made of heavy elements, offering privacy, while the back façade features wide openings that establish a connection with nature. This balance between robustness and lightness reinforces the concept of cosiness and enhances the overall countryside impression of the residence. Natural materials such as stone, wood, concrete, brises soleil and ceramic tiles are selected, offering aesthetic beauty to the space and keeping the effort and cost of maintenance low.

Landscape Design

The design of the garden considered highly the local context such as the climate, the topography as well as the orientation of the site. Plant species were carefully selected for the specific soil, ensuring the harmonious coexistence of the house and the landscape. Finally, the swimming pool along with an exterior lounge and pool deck are situated at the level of the living room, offering a high level of privacy to the various occupants.