We designed this house in Brazil for clients we had already worked with successfully in the past. When the time came for them to plan their future home near São Paulo, they wanted the Salt & Water team to develop a concept for a space where their family would truly live, comfortably and in line with their way of life.
The main challenge was to bring together two different sensibilities within one home. The husband, originally from Serbia, wanted open, airy and calm spaces, with clean lines and a more restrained expression. The wife, who is Brazilian, felt strongly connected to the character of traditional Brazilian houses — their colours, details, layers, decoration and the warmth of spaces that feel lively and personal.
Our task was to find the right balance between these two worlds, without making compromises that would weaken the identity of the house. The result is a home with a clear and clean architectural form, but also with the warmth, texture and lived-in atmosphere the clients wanted.
The house was planned as a single-level family home of around 360 m² including terraces, on an exceptionally large 22,000 m² plot with forest, a river, and open views in the background. A site like this did not call for a house that would dominate the landscape, but for one that would carefully take its place within it and open itself towards the most valuable views. For that reason, special attention was given to the positioning of the house, as well as to the design of the outdoor areas, which were treated not as an addition, but as an essential part of everyday life.
In the Brazilian way of living, a large part of the day happens outdoors. That is why covered outdoor zones, semi-open spaces and a strong connection between the interior and the garden became one of the key parts of the concept. At the same time, it was important to protect the family from the intense sun, allow natural ventilation and create a sense of privacy from neighbouring views.
The architectural language of the house was inspired by the proportions of colonial homes and haciendas, combined with natural materials and warm tones that belong naturally to the landscape. The layout was organised to support calm family life, but also gatherings with friends and extended family. The main living area was designed as a comfortable and informal place for everyday life, with room for books, art, memories, music and daily use. The kitchen was treated as an important and joyful part of the house – functional, easy to use, connected to the pantry and positioned close to the outdoor kitchen with a barbecue, pizza oven and an additional dining table for gathering.
Special attention was also given to spaces for peace and retreat: a small library, a compact home office, and a bright lounge area imagined as a place for rest, reading and staying close to natural surrounding. The master bathroom was planned as a spacious room with both a bathtub and a shower, with details that bring personality and warmth. The service area was organised in line with the local way of life in Brazil, with an indoor-outdoor laundry and drying space.
The Salt & Water team was responsible for the conceptual architectural design. The further development of the technical documentation and its alignment with local regulations was planned in cooperation with a local engineering team in Brazil.
What made this project especially important for us was that it was not created solely from a list of rooms and functional requirements. It grew from trust, from an existing relationship, and from the need to shape a home for one family that would truly belong to its place, its climate, and their way of life.
