A Green Roof Helps Camouflage This Striking Home in Brazil

The Ribeirão Preto Residence sports a dramatic, cantilevered roof and a robust indoor/outdoor connection.
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For a young couple and their two children, the Perkins+Will São Paulo studio led the challenge of designing a dwelling on a sloped landscape in the countryside city of Ribeirão Preto. Two volumes link in an L shape, creating a division between public and private spaces with uninterrupted connections to the outdoors. 

Upon entry, the Ribeirão Preto Residence appears as simple, solid blocks of concrete with warm, wood accents, hiding the drama and the openness of the opposing facade.

Upon entry, the Ribeirão Preto Residence appears as simple, solid blocks of concrete with warm, wood accents, hiding the drama and the openness of the opposing facade.

A dramatic, cantilevered roof extends over the lower building volume, tying together the separate, yet connected, blocks of the home.

A dramatic, cantilevered roof extends over the lower building volume, tying together the separate, yet connected, blocks of the home.

Communal areas are located in the first block, set higher on the land with uninterrupted, panoramic views. These communal spaces shield the private retreats, which are located in the block below. Every room in the home has access to the gardens, facilitating a continuous relationship with nature.

Private spaces and sleeping quarters are hidden below the green roof.

Private spaces and sleeping quarters are hidden below the green roof.

Wood screens lend privacy to the lower level while allowing for ventilation in the hot, humid climate.

Wood screens lend privacy to the lower level while allowing for ventilation in the hot, humid climate.

Concrete steps gently cascade from the pool to the garden below.

Concrete steps gently cascade from the pool to the garden below.

Sculptural in form, the concrete-faced pool hovers gently above the hillside, reflecting the sun and clouds as they pass overhead.

Sculptural in form, the concrete-faced pool hovers gently above the hillside, reflecting the sun and clouds as they pass overhead.

The linear swimming pool hovers above the hillside, disappearing into the tropical foliage.

The linear swimming pool hovers above the hillside, disappearing into the tropical foliage.

A combination of metal, concrete, glass, and wood creates a contemporary, yet warm, retreat.  Transparent, open spaces with natural materials further increase the connection between indoors and outdoors. A lush green roof blends the home into the surrounding foliage while providing important thermal qualities in this tropical setting. 

A green roof further blends this hillside home into the landscape while providing thermal comforts for this warm climate.

A green roof further blends this hillside home into the landscape while providing thermal comforts for this warm climate.

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An interior courtyard is shaded by metal louvers above, filtering light into the living spaces.

An interior courtyard is shaded by metal louvers above, filtering light into the living spaces.

Picturesque views of the surrounding countryside are present at every corner of this home.

Picturesque views of the surrounding countryside are present at every corner of this home.

Daylight filters into open interiors through wood screens and large openings. The grand spaces provide the perfect backdrop to the owner's unique art collection.

Large, movable glass walls further blur the boundary between the interior and exterior.

Large, movable glass walls further blur the boundary between the interior and exterior.

White walls provide a blank canvas for the family's grand art collection; the home glows like a contemporary art museum at night.

White walls provide a blank canvas for the family's grand art collection; the home glows like a contemporary art museum at night.

Related Reading: A Mesmerizing Pool Dominates This Brazilian Home

Project Credits: 

Architect of Record: Perkins + Will / @perkinswill

Builder / General Contractor: Construrocha

Structural Engineer: Ferriani Projetos 

Landscape Design Company: Rodrigo Oliveira Paisagismo

Lighting Design Company: Lucenera Atelier

Interior Design Company: Dulce Ferraz

Sound Engineer: Sondobase

Automation: TAAG

Electrical Engineering: Greenwatt

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Anna Squier
Anna Jones is a designer and founder of MOD Design in Des Moines, IA. After receiving a BA in Architecture, she practiced at award winning design firms in the Central States Region.

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