a tree grows in brazil, through this 'fortunata house' by luciano lerner basso

a house built around a tree

luciano lerner basso introduces a house named ‘fortunata,’ built around a tree in brazil. the project is sited in the extreme southern region of the country, in an area known as caxias do sul. the team notes that the driving force of the design is a ‘search for the spirit of living,’ and to highlight the essential activities of architecture. the project, realized in solemn concrete, carefully reads the forested context to achieve a harmony between the built space and its natural surroundings.

image © manuel sá | @omanuelsa

an extension of the natural surroundings

luciano lerner basso (see more here) integrates the fortunata house around a massive araucaria angustifolia pine tree. from the street, the house is approached by way of a winding footpath of soil and gravel, which opens onto a courtyard and into the entrance door. with this walkway, the floor of the house is read as an extension of the street, an implied integration between the public and private realms.

the insertion of the house into the landscape is a direct response to the constraints of the site. aiming at a minimum intervention in the landscape, the main volume is supported by a piloti that gently touches the ground and adapts to the natural conformation of the terrain.

image © manuel sá

the design of the fortunata house by luciano lerner basso

designed for a young couple, luciano lerner basso’s fortunata house takes on a simple programmatic organization. a garage and entrance vestibule are nestled along the lower level beneath the pilotis. the upper level takes shape as a four square grid, and a structurally open plan. these quadrants divide the functions of living, working, and sleeping.

completing the program, three verandas built using the wood used in the concrete formwork connect the house to the back patio; they expand the living room towards the landscape. without curtains or visual barriers between inside and outside, the dweller has permanent contact with nature. at the same time he lives in the house, he also lives in the forest.

image © manuel sá
image © manuel sá