Project: C House
Architects: Studio Arthur Casas
Location: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Area: 4, 574 sf
Photographs by: Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
C House by Studio Arthur Casas
Studio Arthur Casas has completed the C House project located in the central part of Sao Paulo, Brazil. This 4, 574 square foot home is located in a residential neighborhood that has a limit on the height of buildings. Built on a narrow plot, they had to employ creativity and ingenuity to open up spaces and provide a comfortable living area connected to the outdoors. Of course, we’ve seen what this studio can achieve through some of their other projects such as the Brownstone House in New York or the Syshaus in Brazil.
C House is located in the central part of São Paulo, in one of the rare neighborhoods where it is forbidden to build high rises. The plot is narrow and deep, which renders the task of making a project with open-air spaces and gardens more difficult. Retreats are short and, in order to meet the client’s demands for a house where he could feel nature, we had to rethink the distribution of the program.
All service areas where displaced to the basement, thus liberating space for common areas in the ground floor. The sidewalls were covered with stone and a linear garden blurs visual limits, creating depth. The feeling of being outside in the common areas is enhanced by large structural spans and sliding glass doors. Living room, dining room and kitchen are continuous, receiving natural illumination from the garden and the zenithal opening along the side wall.
Stairs are made of floating wooden steps suspended by steel cables above the entrance corridor, in a straight line connecting all three floors. In the first floor, there are three bedrooms and a home theater. Panels made of wood laths offer visual protection from nearby houses, preserving natural light and ventilation.
What makes this house exceptional is its rooftop. Located next to tree canopies, it is covered by a garden with areas for resting and leisure, with an interesting view of São Paulo’s skyline. An oasis amidst urban chaos, the garden has a water basin and creates a generous atmosphere for the family with a landscape design that preserves privacy. The fifth façade becomes a small plaza floating in the city.
