A Brazilian Home With a Touch of Japanese Zen

Designed with two parallel wings separated by a shallow pool, this striking São Paulo residence is lined with rows of timber columns.

Laminated timber porticoes line the corridors in both wings. Along the perimeter of the house, the timber beams on the ceiling are supported by a metal frame that encase the windows, allowing the ceiling to extend outwards to the horizon. 

A Brazilian Home With a Touch of Japanese Zen - Photo 1 of 10 -

The ceiling beams and porticoes are each placed approximately 1.31 feet apart, creating a dynamic linear rhythm on the façade and within the house. Its aesthetic brings to mind Japanese landscaped gardens, with sections that recall the tori gates of Kyoto’s famous Fushimi Inari shrine.

A Brazilian Home With a Touch of Japanese Zen - Photo 2 of 10 -

São Paulo-based Jacobsen Arquitetura positioned the house on the highest part of its sloping plot in order to distance and shield the property from neighboring houses, and to maximize the views. 

A Brazilian Home With a Touch of Japanese Zen - Photo 3 of 10 -

The house is composed of two parallel wings that are of similar width and length, but offset from one another. 

A Brazilian Home With a Touch of Japanese Zen - Photo 4 of 10 -

One wing houses the communal programs, while the other houses private areas like the bedrooms and guest rooms.

A Brazilian Home With a Touch of Japanese Zen - Photo 5 of 10 -

At the core of the house is a main entrance hall that connects both wings. This corridor is accessed through a wooded path that hovers above a serene reflecting pool. The walkway extends through this glass-walled hall, out to the garden beyond. 

A Brazilian Home With a Touch of Japanese Zen - Photo 6 of 10 -

One side of this entrance hall connects to an open space with a living and dining area, home cinema, and gym.

Shop the Look
Menu Tied Pendant Light
The Tied Pendant Light, designed in 2016, has a simple and versatile design. A ceramic cylinder that holds an exposed bulb hangs from a fabric-covered power cord. The mixture of materials adds visual interest and complexity to the minimalist design.
Herman Miller Landmark Chair
Ward Bennett based the design of his Landmark Chair on the shape of a classic English chair. He then pared away what he deemed to be nonessential elements of the design to reveal the beauty inherent to the chair’s function: in a word, comfort.
Gubi Multi-Lite Pendant Light
The Multi-Lite Pendant Light was designed by Louis Weisdorf in 1972. A prime example of Danish modern design, the Multi-Lite Pendant Light has two mobile shades that can be independently rotated.
HAY Iris Vase
Soft forms with sharp edges are combined with muted tones to create the distinctive Iris Vase. The ultra-thin porcelain has been handcrafted in Japan and left unglazed for matte finish that reinforces the vase's understated elegance. 
A Brazilian Home With a Touch of Japanese Zen - Photo 7 of 10 -

A continuous concrete terrace with overhanging eaves wraps around this side of the house and leads to a swimming pool and decked outdoor space.

A Brazilian Home With a Touch of Japanese Zen - Photo 8 of 10 -

On the lower section of the slope is a stone-walled volume, placed perpendicular to the two parallel wings. This structure accommodates a large children's playroom, dog kennels, service and storage areas, and living quarters for the property's staff.

A Brazilian Home With a Touch of Japanese Zen - Photo 9 of 10 -

Along the edge of the house, the extruded wood beams from the ceiling create a powerful connection with the surrounding landscape, while within, the beams serve as frames for tranquil views of the interior courtyard and pond.  

A Brazilian Home With a Touch of Japanese Zen - Photo 10 of 10 -

Project Credits: 

- Architecture: Jacobsen Arquitetura 

- Builders: MFC Engenharia 

- Interior Design: Marina Linhares

- Structural engineer: Ycon

 - Landscape: Isabel Duprat 

- Lighting: Lightworks 

- Cabinetry: Zamaro 

- Wood structure: Ita Construtora

Michele Koh Morollo
Dwell Contributor
Michele Koh Morollo is a journalist who has been writing about design, lifestyle and travel for the last twenty years.

Published

Last Updated

Get the Pro Newsletter

What’s new in the design world? Stay up to date with our essential dispatches for design professionals.