project: Cigar house
Architects: female mutilation
Site: São Paulo, Brazil
region: 8417 sf
year: 2019
photos by: Pedro Mascaro
Cigar House by FGMF
FGMF has designed Cigarra House, a stunning contemporary residence divided into 3 main blocks. It is located in São Paulo, Brazil and offers approximately 8,500 square feet of contemporary living space. Of course, we’ve already featured some of this studio’s previous works, so make sure you check them out, you’ll love them. They have been featured in our architecture designs with Botucatu House Project, Cafezal House Project, Mirante House Project and Grid House Project.
Set on a sloping plot at the edge of a conservation green, the house intervenes in the landscape in two radically different ways, divided into 3 main blocks.
Viewed from the street, the lower part appears to “sprout” from the soil: an artificial boulder rises from the ground and reveals itself as the plot tilts toward the forest. Eventually, the massive block breaks off the ground at the other side, confirming its shape. This underground sub-volume mainly contains the bedrooms and spaces such as the family room, laundry and garage. To provide more light and ventilation, the courtyard is essentially sculpted: the trees in this small garden cut through the solidity and show a vertical connection to the spaces above. In contrast to this solid and heavy base, two other blocks seemed to land gently on it.
The larger forms a bridge through which visitors enter the house, transforming itself into a sudden cantilever that reaches the treetops at the other end. It contains the main social areas such as the living, dining and kitchen rooms. Its left side opens generously onto a deck above the lower block, extending the living room to a wonderful solarium with swimming pool overlooking the forest and beyond. The smaller block sits on the edge of the pool and provides shade for a table and an open plan kitchen with grill and pizza oven. These light volumes upstairs are made of steel and glass, with green openings and walls that naturally control the temperature of the house. The simple shapes and their relationship to the land and landscape underline the main concept of the house: more than being inspired by this specific location, it is trying to be a part of it.
-FGMF
