A striking lakefront home in São Paulo, Brazil, demonstrates how thoughtful architectural design can blur the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces. The 11,000-square-foot single-story residence, designed by Nitsche Arquitetos, features expansive glass sliding doors that, when opened, make it nearly impossible to distinguish where the indoors end and the outdoors begin.

The project was conceived as a sprawling horizontal structure composed of seven separate volumes, each divided by small gardens and connected through covered circulation pathways. Due to the generous dimensions of the plot overlooking the Jurumirim reservoir, the architects were able to create a design that functions as a juxtaposition of construction materials, where each element maintains its distinct appearance while serving a clearly defined purpose.

The largest volume houses the main social areas, including the living room, kitchen, and a veranda equipped with a barbecue area. This central block connects to three additional volumes, each containing two bedroom suites, through an extended corridor system. A distinctive wall made of hollow green ceramic elements runs the entire length of the circulation path, providing protection from rain while enabling cross-ventilation throughout all connected rooms.

Access to the pool area is achieved by walking through the garden on elevated platforms clad in white Itaúnas granite, creating a seamless transition from the living room veranda. The design includes a sauna positioned beneath the pool's sundeck, offering panoramic views of the Jurumirim reservoir. On the opposite side of the property, separated from the main blocks by the signature hollow brick wall, two additional volumes contain a game and television room, plus a service area with kitchen, laundry facilities, and related amenities.

The architectural concept was developed using a strict grid module system and based on the intersection of two perpendicular axes. The first circulation axis connects the bedroom blocks with the integrated living room and kitchen area, as well as the television and game room. The second service axis extends from the enclosed entrance veranda, forming a direct line between the garage and the barbecue area on the main veranda.

The house presents two distinctly different facades that showcase contrasting architectural characteristics. The rear facade, which encloses the longitudinal circulation space, features the prominent wall of green ceramic hollow elements spanning the building's entire length. The opposite facade, facing the reservoir, is completely enclosed with anodized aluminum frames and clear glass panels. The bedrooms incorporate sliding folding panels made of perforated PVC fabric, specifically Soltis screen material, which protects interior spaces from direct sunlight and insects while maintaining proper ventilation.

Throughout the design process, the architects sought to combine practical construction logic with aesthetic expression. The material palette was deliberately limited, with each element selected to highlight its unique characteristics and functional properties. The wooden structural system remains exposed throughout the home, while white thermo-acoustic roof tiles are visible from interior spaces, creating an honest expression of the building's construction methods.

With the exception of wet areas, flooring throughout the residence consists of exposed structural concrete slabs that have been polished to resemble terrazzo. This approach proves more cost-effective than traditional flooring methods, as it eliminates the need for additional screed layers and finishing materials. The interior atmosphere emerges from the careful combination of these minimal constructive elements paired with simple, comfortable furnishings that complement rather than compete with the architectural features.

The project team included P&P Engenharia as the main builder, with structural engineering handled by ITA Engenharia em Madeira and civil engineering by Marata Engenharia. Landscape design was executed by André Paoliello, while Lightworks provided specialized lighting design and Tusco handled interior design coordination. Photography was completed by André Scarpa, who captured the seamless integration between the home's interior spaces and the surrounding natural environment.