'orchid house' by david guerra doubles as a natural sanctuary

‘orchid house’ by david guerra

Set on the outskirts of Belo Horizonte in Minas Gerais, Brazil, ‘Orchid House’ is an expansive getaway home for a working couple and their extended family. Architect David Guerra completed the project over five years, and as time went on, the whole family became involved in the decision and improvement processes — resulting in a rich and organic setting punctuated by an array of personal touches.

Beyond building a family home to host large celebrations and gatherings, the owners also wanted to establish a personal natural sanctuary, a place where threatened species of fauna and flora could find refuge. The 15,000 sqm plot of land, peppered with century-old trees, thus offers a great attraction for residents to actively participate in environmental preservation.

all images © Jomar Bragança

natural sanctuary meets expansive + multi-use getaway home

After a meticulous interdisciplinary licensing process with environmental regulatory bodies, the architect and owners obtained authorization to build an actual fauna and flora preservation complex: eight nurseries for twelve species of birds, capuchin monkeys, tortoises, and water tigers; two ponds with catfish and sorubim; two breeding facilities; and finally, two orchid gardens — with a total area of 900 sqm — house 50,000 seedlings of 3,500 orchid species, the largest personal orchid garden in the state of Minas Gerais.

Boasting a U-shaped volume, ‘Orchid House’ is fronted with a large stone portico and a sculptural water fountain that welcome residents into one of two covered parking spaces and a courtyard for 20 cars. Upon entering, the room opens onto a large central patio with a view of the century-old preserved forest, natural sanctuary, and leisure area with a swimming pool, deck, lounge, and gardens. Inside, a large integrated area blends a living, dining, TV room, cinema, and functional and gourmet kitchen, with a barbecue spot and plenty of seating. In addition, the owners get to enjoy a full spa experience with wet and dry saunas, showers, and a massage room.

entrance to ‘Orchid House’

As for the private area, located on the other side of the patio, David Guerra laid it out to be about twice the size of the original draft since, little by little, the whole family got involved. ‘We added three more bedrooms, all with suites, in addition to the office, which were incorporated into the three suites and the master suite, this one with two bathrooms and two closets. The rooms are connected by an external circulation that has become a common lounge with several environments, closed to prevent the entry of wild animals such as snakes and skunks into the residential area,’ explains the architect.

Additional programs include a small chapel for the grandchildren’s future marriage ceremonies, an orchard and vegetable garden, and a leisure area designed specifically for youngsters to host their friends. The latter includes five suites, a swimming pool, a deck, and a functional kitchen. A six-kilometer walking trail also surrounds the entire complex.

David Guerra used a rich mix of material and colors to coat the residence

From white and gray to brown, caramel, and black, Guerra used a rich palette of colors to echo spatial and generational diversity. Materials-wise, a mix of natural (wood, stone) and industrialized (dekton) elements bring warmth, comfort, and efficiency to the overall structure. ‘In furniture, meanwhile, we seek timelessness for a long-lasting home that will transcend fashions and trends,’ he notes. The owners also decided to purchase an additional 15,000 sm plot next door to build a sports square complete with a soccer field, tennis court, multi-sport court, and two beach tennis courts.