Solar incidence and mountain view guide the single-story country house

Located in Itaipava (district of Petrópolis, RJ), this country house is a modern refuge integrated with nature, designed from scratch during the pandemic by architects Fabio Bouillet and Carol Freitas, from the BF+Arquitetos office and cast of CASACOR Rio de Janeiro, for a couple who desired a home that would provide leisure and also serve as a sanctuary in times of uncertainty. Built on an inclined plot of almost 8,000 m², the construction spans 1,300 m² in total and was strategically positioned on a plateau to provide the best views of the mountains and the valley. "We designed the house in two modules – the main house and a leisure annex – based on the unique characteristics of the terrain to create an exclusive residence fully integrated with its surroundings," explains Fabio. "This is the second project we have done for this family," he adds. With 550 m² of built area, the main house has an entrance from the upper floor due to the sloping terrain and concentrates the social area (with integrated living and dining spaces), home theater, six bedrooms (two of which are guest rooms), a powder room, wine cellar, and kitchen. The leisure annex, with 750 m², has two floors: on the upper floor – facing the pool – is the gourmet space (equipped with a barbecue, a wood-fired pizza oven, a cooktop, and a dishwasher), with a dining area and porch. The lower floor includes a gym and a game room with integrated sitting and TV areas. The house was built from an exposed metal structure painted black, with a ceiling made of toned pine slats and facades alternating between black aluminum floor-to-ceiling frames and transparent glass (which allow the integration of internal spaces with the external area) and articulated slatted aluminum panels with wood-like paint or Moledo stone. "The result is a residence with a striking and imposing presence that simultaneously conveys lightness and elegance," assesses Carol. In the decoration, in a relaxed contemporary style, everything is new. The architects prioritized modern and current furniture designed by Brazilian designers, with simple and timeless lines that 'converse' with the home's architecture, such as Paulistano armchairs by Paulo Mendes da Rocha, Viky dining chairs by Bernardo Figueiredo, and Pitu lounges by Aristeu Pires.

In the composition of the color palette, the duo adopted a base of sober, neutral, and natural tones to create a light and elegant atmosphere while simultaneously 'dialoguing' with the view of the lush nature around the house, without detracting from its prominence. Regarding the materials and finishes of the internal spaces, the flooring in the social areas received gray porcelain tile with a marbled effect, the intimate area flooring was covered with Tauari wood planks, the wall coverings alternate between Moledo stone and painting with conventional white paint, and the upholstery varies between leather, linen, bouclé, and canvas. Coated with Hijau stone (of volcanic origin, with a greenish color), the pool features a spa area and a beach area and was positioned in front of the residence, facing the mountains, with an infinity edge to create a natural water mirror effect.