Modern Homes in Brazil

Brazil is a breath-taking country that has a perfect mix of nature and modern architecture.

These houses prove that the simplicity of modernism pairs perfectly with Brazil's bustling urbanity as well as its lush natural environments.

Following the birth of their second daughter, Reinaldo and Piti Cóser knew they needed a bigger home that could provide domestic refuge from the relentless energy of São Paulo without separating them from it completely. After purchasing a site in the centrally located Jardim Europa neighborhood, they turned to architect and close friend Marcio Kogan to help them accomplish their dream. The resulting structure features a garden that is separated from the living room by only a sliding door, creating one large mixed-use living space. While this gives the home a feeling of tranquility, the rooftop deck yields intimate views of the city, reminding viewers of its nearby influence.

Following the birth of their second daughter, Reinaldo and Piti Cóser knew they needed a bigger home that could provide domestic refuge from the relentless energy of São Paulo without separating them from it completely. After purchasing a site in the centrally located Jardim Europa neighborhood, they turned to architect and close friend Marcio Kogan to help them accomplish their dream. The resulting structure features a garden that is separated from the living room by only a sliding door, creating one large mixed-use living space. While this gives the home a feeling of tranquility, the rooftop deck yields intimate views of the city, reminding viewers of its nearby influence.

With library's Cor-Ten shield open, the home’s facade is seen at night. The L shaped pedestrian pathway forces visitors to travel around the perimeter before entry, gradually experiencing the architectural composition step by step.

With library's Cor-Ten shield open, the home’s facade is seen at night. The L shaped pedestrian pathway forces visitors to travel around the perimeter before entry, gradually experiencing the architectural composition step by step.

Architects Simone Carneiro and Alexandre Skaff used materials like cement-tiles and perobinha wood to make a fomerly cramped São Paulo apartment feel more open. Re-envisioning an under-utilized terrace as a lush garden certainly helped as well.

Architects Simone Carneiro and Alexandre Skaff used materials like cement-tiles and perobinha wood to make a fomerly cramped São Paulo apartment feel more open. Re-envisioning an under-utilized terrace as a lush garden certainly helped as well.

Exterior of Lina Bo and P. M. Bardi house in Morumbi, São Paulo, Brazil (1949–52). Photo by Nelson Kon.

Exterior of Lina Bo and P. M. Bardi house in Morumbi, São Paulo, Brazil (1949–52). Photo by Nelson Kon.

Weinfeld’s cinematic streak is also evident in the home’s interiors: he designed the entertainment center in the media room. The rug is from  Clatt Carpete & Cia. Throughout the house, the Strozenbergs use floor-to-ceiling curtains for privacy.

Weinfeld’s cinematic streak is also evident in the home’s interiors: he designed the entertainment center in the media room. The rug is from Clatt Carpete & Cia. Throughout the house, the Strozenbergs use floor-to-ceiling curtains for privacy.

In order to give the clients what they wanted, the house takes up most of the property with no real yard. To bring in greenery, they lined the perimeter with plants. Large sliding glass doors open the living room up to the pool deck making those vertical gardens feel like they’re indoors.

In order to give the clients what they wanted, the house takes up most of the property with no real yard. To bring in greenery, they lined the perimeter with plants. Large sliding glass doors open the living room up to the pool deck making those vertical gardens feel like they’re indoors.

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William Harrison
William Harrison is a New York–based writer focusing on both design and literature.

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