Domo na Mantiqueira brings luxury and comfort to the middle of nature

Seeking refuge and safety in nature is the way many people find to enjoy fresh air and the feeling of purity that only contact with nature can offer. Thinking about having a space where they could take their families , biomedical scientists and friends Rodrigo Pavanni and Flávio Correa purchased a plot of land in the city of São Francisco Xavier , about 2 and a half hours from the capital of São Paulo. The partners said that they had to reforest the area before starting construction , but what caught their attention right away was the impeccable view of the mountains and, on the other side, a waterfall. " Domestic tourism is growing a lot. With the cost of international travel increasing a lot and, on the other hand, well-equipped hotels and accommodations in Brazil, many people who used to travel abroad are now looking for options here," explain Flávio and Rodrigo. With inspirations brought from abroad, the challenges for building the Dome were not trivial. The rounded shape was a desire of the owners , who wanted to create unique accommodations. In addition to being curious, the architecture of the Domes (in total, five Domes and a Cabin on the land) needed to be functional and integrated with views of the Serra da Mantiqueira , but still offering a luxurious space for demanding high-end clients. "Every service provider that came here had a challenge, because no one had ever worked with accommodation of this style," comments architect Jaqueline Fumagalli , a specialist in luxury projects who has participated in past editions of CASACOR Campinas . CASACOR 's reporter stayed in one of the Domes, with a view of the mountains, and tells a little about what the experience was like:

How to get there and what to find in São Francisco Xavier

São Francisco Xavier is the first city after São José and they are relatively close (less than 60 km). To get to the Dome, it is recommended to have a car and go during the day, as it is more than 35 minutes on a dirt road – which, in addition to being safer, offers incredible views of the mountains along the way. When you reach your GPS destination, you will come across a Freedome sign , and you will have to go through the gate in front and go up a few more meters of dirt road until you reach the land. The city is quite peaceful and full of surprises . For those who want to travel to relax, the Domo itself offers a complete experience with a bonfire, equipped kitchen, games, fireplace, bonfire, hammocks, hot tub , etc. It is important to just stop by the market to ensure supplies, as there is no delivery service in the region. For the more adventurous, the city's strong point is ecotourism . A 25-minute drive from the cabin takes you to the city center, which has delicious dining options, hiking trails, waterfalls, horseback riding and more. #Tip: I highly recommend the restaurant O Artesão ( @oartesaosfx ) which, in addition to providing fast and polite service, serves very tasty, well-seasoned food in a very cozy space close to the city's main avenue.

The Dome

The Domes were inaugurated at the end of 2023 – it took almost two years from the purchase of the land until they began to be rented to carry out all the renovation and construction of the cabins. "The shape of the Dome was designed so that visitors can enjoy the view both during the day and at night and have that feeling of freedom surrounded by nature," explain partners Flávio and Rodrigo.

In total, there are five Domes strategically distributed throughout the land . Although they all have a similar aesthetic, the construction sought to prioritize the view and the strengths of each area of the land . For example, the Alta Vista Dome – where I stayed – offers a beautiful view of the sunrise, which can be seen from the bed, ideal for those who like to wake up to a stunning view of the sun rising behind the mountains. The Domes on the other side of the land are close to the Roncador Waterfall . Those staying there will sleep, wake up and spend the day enjoying the sound and view of the waterfall. At night, it is worth taking advantage of the hammocks , which were installed at a higher point on the land and allow you to see the starry sky in a unique way.

Quiet Luxury

In charge of the construction process and interior design , Jaqueline explains that the initial challenge was to visualize the land as the owners intended to leave it after the entire reforestation process. "The difference was having accommodation right in the middle of nature . I needed to find a way to make the most of the landscape and the view," she comments. The architect sought to create visual communication between the interior and exterior environments , aiming for sophisticated decorative elements that served as a complement to the experience and did not overshadow the visual aspect of Mantiqueira, which is the main protagonist. "We wanted something sophisticated. A ' rustic chic ', which brought in countertops and natural elements . We mixed industrial elements with a rusticity, which doesn't make you forget that you're in nature, but has a touch of elegance", says Jaqueline. The trend towards quiet luxury is very well reflected in these cabins, which feature the highest quality bed linen and towels, fine coverings and even a Santos Dumont staircase , a design classic, which bridges the gap between the ground floor and the mezzanine.

Sustainability

For Rodrigo and Flavio, taking care of nature is part of Freedome 's DNA and they have invested in several sustainable actions on the land and in the buildings . All the energy used in the Domes is solar , which is perfect especially for hot days, when air conditioning is essential (and needs to be on practically all day). To encourage healthy eating , visitors can also count on an organic garden , with spices, fruits and vegetables ready for consumption. "The restaurants here offer exquisite haute cuisine, and you can still taste that delicious country food, thanks to the organic food . In addition, the partners worked hard on reforestation to offset carbon , attract birds and provide more shade and freshness to the environment. For those who enjoyed the experience described and want to experience all this contact with nature in a peaceful and functional atmosphere, it is possible to book accommodation through the Freedome website, by clicking here !