Sensory landscaping shapes 1,400 m² house in the countryside of São Paulo

Amid Helvetia Polo Country, in Indaiatuba (SP), a residence of 1,400 m² defies the traditional logic of residential architecture by inverting the project’s starting point: here, it was the landscaping that defined siting, flows, volumes, and atmosphere. Designed by architect Isabela Barreto Bicalho, of IBB Arquitetura and the CASACOR Rio de Janeiro lineup, the house emerges as a natural extension of the site, dissolving boundaries between interior and exterior and placing greenery at the center of the living experience. The landscape project is by Leda Franco and Henrique Galdino.

Projeto de Isabela Bicalho. (Matias Buenma/CASACOR)

With a 15-degree orientation in relation to the site, the house was strategically positioned to take in sunrise and sunset, as well as to ensure optimal sunlight for the garden—the element that guides the entire project. In this country house, the landscape does not frame the architecture: it organizes it, crosses it, and defines it. “In this project, nature was not just a complement. The landscaping came before the architecture, so that the house would arise without barriers between the indoor spaces and the natural setting,” explains Isabela.

Projeto de Isabela Bicalho. (Matias Buenma/CASACOR)

Conceived as a retreat for a large family that gathers frequently, the residence offers spacious, integrated projects, always oriented toward the outdoors, reinforcing the home’s social vocation. The game room was created as a meeting place for grandchildren of different ages, while the gourmet area presents itself as the true social heart of the house. There, Pedra São Tomé flooring dialogues with Arctic White MDF wainscoting millwork, creating a project that is at once rustic and sophisticated. Designed for large family gatherings, the space brings together a wood-burning stove, an industrial range, a pizza oven, and a chest freezer — a special request from the client to serve ice creams during get-togethers, reinforcing the project’s affectionate, unpretentious character.

Projeto de Isabela Bicalho. (Matias Buenma/CASACOR)

In the indoor areas, the project adopts a welcoming base, with cumaru wood flooring and Itapuã MDF panels combined with white wainscoting, creating a bright, timeless atmosphere that celebrates natural light and the surrounding greenery. All the furniture was custom designed by the architect, ensuring aesthetic unity, fluidity between the projects, and functional solutions aligned with the family’s daily use.

Projeto de Isabela Bicalho. (Matias Buenma/CASACOR)

The lush garden was treated as a sensorial garden and extends to the polo field, which uses the same grass as the home’s landscaping. “This choice creates a visual continuity that amplifies the feeling of belonging to the landscape and reinforces full integration with the surroundings,” says Isabela. In the outdoor areas, the project opts for finishes with a rustic texture, in tune with the natural character of the place. The verandas function as extensions of the house, filtering the sun, creating thermal comfort, and expanding the possibilities of using the spaces throughout the day.

Projeto de Isabela Bicalho. (Matias Buenma/CASACOR)

“Here, the architecture welcomes and cools. The verandas help protect from the heat while keeping the house always connected to the garden,” the architect adds. To allow the landscape to take center stage, the architecture adopted a neutral color palette, with a predominance of white. The choice of materials balances rusticity and sophistication, reinforcing the home’s country character without sacrificing contemporary comfort.

Projeto de Isabela Bicalho. (Matias Buenma/CASACOR)

Entirely single-story and step-free, the residence was also designed for full accessibility, reinforcing the project’s commitment to comfort, well-being, and permanence throughout all stages of life.