cancha house in brazil preserves the charm of mountainous brazil

cancha house by estudio HAA!

located in minas gerais, brazil, at an altitude of 1470 meters above sea level, ‘cancha house’ emerges as a dreamy residence for those who appreciate tranquility and love the mountain views. designed by são paulo-based estudio HAA!, the resulting composition came out quite effortlessly as if the site demanded it: the existing rocks became part of the design, acting as the columns of the house. CLT (cross-laminated timber) beams rest on the top of the stones, defining the total height of the structure. therefore, the design team employed a simple rectangular geometry optimizing views towards the mesmerizing scenery.images by pedro kok

prioritizing the sweeping views

although the architects had detailed conversations with the clients, to be better aware of their needs and preferences, they chose first to approach the site and then come up with design ideas. on the way there, after a paved road, the design team got to a small steep dirt road, where they found an opening in the vegetation, in the shape of a shell. there was the plateau where they embedded the design.

the main beams of the house are made of CLT and span 14 meters long, opening frontally to the panoramic view of the pedra do baú. from a structural arrangement and frames that open the span, the house appears to float without support and fully opens to the surroundings. on one side, the beams are supported on the stones and the other on the steel frame closed block.

therefore, the final structure takes shape as two equal adjacent blocks. the one is designed fully transparently for social and collective activities, creating the perfect atmosphere to host a semi-outdoor kitchen. and the other one serves as the private section for more individual and introspective moments, totally coated with ebanized wood. furthermore, a shipping container was used to accommodate a guest dormitory, external bathroom, and services. inside, the dwelling evokes tones of the surrounding mountain landscape to maximally preserve the green charm of the site and inject natural lighting into the space.

the beams are supported on the rocks

blending the boundaries of inside and outside

a semi-outdoor living space

a perfect atmosphere to accommodate a semi-open kitchen

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opening towards the unobstructed views

project info:

name: cancha house
designer: estúdio HAA!

location: gonçalves, minas gerais, brazil

photography: pedro kok

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edited by: christina petridou | designboom