Work: Casa BF
Location: Vila Castelo, Nova Lima, MG, Brazil
Year: 2004/2005
Architect: Humberto Hermeto
Contributor: André Gabrich
Structural Engineering: Carlos Alberto Fonseca
Project Electrical and hidrosanitario: Projelet Systems Prediais Projetos Ltda
Construction: PHM Engenharia
Photo: Eduardo Eckenfels

The premise of the project was to have a house with a terrace that serves all in a single level (which was as high as possible to take advantage of existing views). The owners had already purchased a lot, and compared to the complicated topography arises proposal.

With an average incline of 68% in the front (being more specific in its first 10 meters), the field presents the first obstacle in advance: the movement of land. It was a model with the inclusion of a ramp, but the value of land needed to move was so high that the propesta was not feasible (the cost of moving earth and building foundations for the ramp exceeded the price that was paid by the field). In addition, this ramp would use more than 60% of site area, thus making impossible the implementation of a project according to customer requirements.

So we opted for a cut in the front of the lot (to occupy a strip of 5.5 m) where the parking lot. A containment wall of 4.4 m containing the remaining land, and access for residents will be insured through an elevator. 15.5 m above the elevation is implanted the house: a longitudinal body that opens to a sun terrace and is in the north. Its eastern end is moved under the rules, and creating a lookout room with 3 walls of glass that allow residents a view of 180 degrees.

The structure of the house is conventional 16 columns (resting on a pile base) holding the main body: alongside a pair of longitudinal beams support the floor slab, and another pair (in this case inverted) holding the slab cover, free of internal elements that also functions as an integrating element of the proposed sites.

Separating the nuclei private (and private rooms) and social (and kitchen), with an empty lighting serves as connection between the lower level, which contains a service area, a study of employees and units a sauna.

As part of the functional link between the body of the house and the entertainment area, the terrace serves as an extension of the kitchen. Thus, it avoids having an enclosure with a barbecue and seating for the maximum free space.

Model

Floorplans