Vila Castela Residence / Anastasia Arquitetos

Architects: Anastasia Arquitetos
Location: Minas Gerais, Brazil
Project Year: 2009
Construction: Campo Empreendimentos
Structural Design: Lucas Saraiva
Project Area: 650 sqm
Photographs: Jomar Bragança

Built in a sloped site (30 degrees) in the city of Nova Lima, Brazil, the house uses dramatic cantilevers to emphasize the extremity of its position. We have chosen this concept not only for aesthetic reasons, but above all to reduce the interference of the building mass in the topography, keeping the site as natural as possible.

Section

As we placed the ground level of the residence 7 meters below the street , we were able to preserve the pedestrian view of the forest, at the same time that keeping the privacy of the owners, because the main apertures and the glass walls are oriented to the east, on the opposite side of the street. The urban impact of the residence is minimized, in benefit of the beautiful view of the woods.

As the climate of this region is very good, with average temperatures of 28°Celsius in the summer, and 16° Celsius in the winter, the right orientation of the doors and windows prevents the use of artificial climate. Solar voltaic cells are placed on the roof.

The constructed area is 650 sqm, divided into three floors: the basement, where the owners can enjoy leisure facilities such as sauna, Jacuzzi, and an wine cellar, the ground floor, where the living area and the kitchen, integrated to the outdoor swimming pool and external terrace, make this the centre of the house, and the first floor, where the occupants can obtain privacy in the bedrooms.

First Floor Plan

The form is generated by the engineering of the concrete structure, which is robust and sculptural and, at the same time, light and contextualized with the surroundings, not a self -referred structure. The concrete maintains its texture, and the masonry is painted terracotta, for low maintenance reasons. (the ground has a red dust, iron ore dust).

We used as few columns as possible in order to preserve the existing site. Unsurprisingly, given the exquisite surroundings, the largest proportions of the building face outwards down the hill with views of the forest. Glazed elevations make the most of these views and also of the sunrise to the east.

This project was based on four main concepts: little interference in the site, better use of natural resources, integration to the surroundings, and a generous urban presence.