Delta House | Bernardes Arquitetura

Commissioned by a couple with three young children, this weekend house, located one and a half hours from São Paulo, is built on sloping terrain surrounded by an important Atlantic Forest reserve. The intervention began with the study of the topography and existing forest so that the house could be integrated into the natural landscape. The functional program was based on different levels so as to allow the house to subtly adapt to the existing terrain and trees. Consequently, circulation is in the form of an internal journey beginning at the access courtyard and reaching its destination at the terrace, with its sea view.

The project shows clear sectorization: the larger timber-covered volume of the first floor houses the suites of the children and guests; the terrace accommodates the master suite and living areas. The sectorization is identifiable through the contrast between the heavy longitudinal block, which appears to be attached to the topography, and the light, sloping canopy, supported by tubular-sectioned columns. This spatial organization flexibilizes the use of the residence since the terrace has been designed as an autonomous pavilion designed specifically for the couple, so that the entire first floor may be closed off, if required.

The sunscreen panels which clad the volume give privacy to the bedrooms and provide controlled natural illumination. The façade offers two contrasting readings, either emphasizing the volume’s apparent hermetic characteristics, or alternatively displaying the pivoting windows in motion.

An important conceptual aspect of the project is the desire to provide the spaces with a certain ambiguity by attenuating the boundaries between "inside" and "outside". On the ground level, the large lobby allows the landscaping to encroach upon the stairs to question the boundaries between the interior and exterior. The upper floor is the most privileged part of the house, being favored by outstanding views of the sea and beach which are less than one hundred meters away. The trapezoidal, wafer-thin canopy sits on large glass panes and forms a pavilion that shares the same floor as the large veranda around it. The interior and exterior paving are one and the same. The canopy’s gentle slope and the orientation of the timber sunscreens guide the eye toward the horizon, where an infinity edge makes the swimming pool appear part of the ocean. The residential experience has been expanded in this way by employing design strategies which not only offer protection to the house itself, but also make it possible for the homeowner to fully enjoy the existing natural surroundings. 

Architecture: Bernardes Arquitetura
Interior Design: Bernardes Arquitetura
Team: Thiago Bernardes, Dante Furlan, Camila Tariki, Bruno Milan, Daniel Vannucchi, Pérola Machado

Landscape Architecture: Isabel Duprat
Lighting Design: Lightworks
Construction Company: All’e Engenharia
Management: Cimenge Engenharia
Pool Design and Installation: COMARX
Electrical and Hydraulic Installations: Grau
Structural Design: Leão e Associados

Photos: Ruy Teixeira / Leonardo Finotti