SubscribeSign In
Collection by Perkins&Will Brasil

The Flamboyant House

Residence at Alto de Pinheiros, uses structural wooded grid as integrating element on the common areas, respecting the vegetation and the existing trees on the site


Perkins&Will was hired by a family from São Paulo to build their new home at Alto de Pinheiros; a traditional and predominantly residential district of São Paulo. The site, with approximately 1,000 sqm, was acquired by customers due to its natural characteristics; about 50% of it was occupied by a generous garden, including a majestic Flamboyant. Therefore, respect for the existing conditions on the site would become the great challenge in this project.


The first initiative was to understand the present features, rather than any definition of a party. It was decided to claim the Flamboyant as the main character, making all other solutions thought and modeled according to its characteristics. Located on the eastern corner of the terrain, the Flamboyant was digitally scanned, including its branches, thus being able to set constructive guidelines without threatening its well-being.


Once defined as the protagonist, it should be visible by all; according to this principle, the living / dining room and gourmet balcony (common and reception areas) should be closely linked to it. These areas were covered by a structural wooden grid (developed with the structural engineer Hélio Olga) that intertwines them and connects the garden from the bottom of the terrain to the street, which is the most striking architectural element. The design of this structure was only possible thanks to the three-dimensional mapping in the beginning of the process, therefore the dimensions and heights of the grid were defined to reduce the impact on the landscape.

View 9 Photos
Six suites, four of them for parents' children. Photo: Nelson Kon.
Six suites, four of them for parents' children. Photo: Nelson Kon.
Living / Dining Room and Gourmet Balcony. Photo: Nelson Kon.
Living / Dining Room and Gourmet Balcony. Photo: Nelson Kon.
Recycled wood grid merges internal and external areas to create a heaven amidst São Paulo’s busy scene. Photo: Nelson Kon
Recycled wood grid merges internal and external areas to create a heaven amidst São Paulo’s busy scene. Photo: Nelson Kon
Kitchen and Breakfast Room. Photo: Nelson Kon.
Kitchen and Breakfast Room. Photo: Nelson Kon.
Glass coatings facilitate the connection between the internal and external areas of the residence. Photo: Nelson Kon.
Glass coatings facilitate the connection between the internal and external areas of the residence. Photo: Nelson Kon.
Gourmet kitchen in the middle of the living room, 100% integrated to the main rooms of the house and the garden. Photo: Nelson Kon.
Gourmet kitchen in the middle of the living room, 100% integrated to the main rooms of the house and the garden. Photo: Nelson Kon.
The first initiative was to understand the present features, rather than any definition of a party. It was decided to claim the Flamboyant as the main character. Photo: Nelson Kon.
The first initiative was to understand the present features, rather than any definition of a party. It was decided to claim the Flamboyant as the main character. Photo: Nelson Kon.
Residence at Alto de Pinheiros, uses structural wooded grid as integrating element on the common areas, respecting the vegetation and the existing trees on the site. Photo: Nelson Kon.
Residence at Alto de Pinheiros, uses structural wooded grid as integrating element on the common areas, respecting the vegetation and the existing trees on the site. Photo: Nelson Kon.