Comfortable refugee

December 13, 2018

The architect Luiz Paulo Andrade signs an architecture project and the interior design of a house with 1.466m2, in Bragança Paulista, São Paulo.

The house was conceived by a couple that just got retired from their professional life. The main objective was to create a comfortable refugee that dialogs directly to the surrounding place and landscape. It is a house to host family and friends, and to comfort the couple until the last days of life, becoming the main and unique residence for both.

Due to the slight declivity of the land, the large program of the house was divided into three levels with well-defined uses. Each level has a rectangular shape, which are placed one into another in a transversal way that forms an architectonic arrangement by wide orthogonal lines. Thus, the definition of the intermediary level (a bit bellow the street level) was determined to be a place where all the activities and habits of the couple would be concentrated on.

This level was conceived to be self-sufficient just like a single-storey house, allowing easy access to all areas. In this floor, there is a large suite for the couple and a guest suite. Beyond that, there is a living room, home theater, dining room, kitchen, pantry, spa, restroom and the desirable wine cellar. Every area are directly integrated with the leisure area that includes a large terrace, gourmet area, deck, sauna and swimming pool. The division between the inner part and external is disguised on purpose by wide glass cloth that are hidden inside the walls, offering total integrations to the spaces.

This project was inspired and based on a modern architectural language and a traditional composition of the large orthogonal shapes. It looks forward to minimize shapes, areas and interior trim by composing a big scenario where the individuals are protagonists. The interior design is composed by references of different national productions and complete the place with emphasis on using wood and colors that are inspired by the landscape and nature.

The chosen materials make part of the repertory of the modern paulista architecture, abusing the use of concrete and wood. For the frames, it was used aluminum. The biggest challenge of the project was to implant the house in order to equalize the common level of coexistence and the big declivity of the lot, respecting the landscape and without harming the natural profile of the land. The area with the living room and dining room works as a big articulator between the spaces, connecting to the street, leisure area, the intimism area of the ground level and also to the stairs, which links the others spaces of the house.

The concept of the interior design follows the long lines of the house’s composition that were implanted in parallel to the drawing of the lot in a very delicate way. The implementation of the ground area bellow the street hides itself, enhancing only the superior area that intends to appear landing above the land. Works of art and design pieces were used on the decoration. For the living room, the work of João Castilho named “Dois Sóis” is the protagonist of the space with contrasting colors against the concrete wall.

The superior part leads the whole composition of the place, because it has a formal and more symbolic character being placed over the other levels – mainly the intermediary one that is hidden by the landscape. The superior contain two large suites from the children, one guest room and a bid kid’s suite. Those areas are served by a support pantry.

At the inferior level are located the garage, gym, laundry, technical areas and further dependencies of employees.

SHARE THIS

 Latest Edition

Mar / Apr 2026 edition is available now!

 Contribute

G&G _ Magazine is always looking for the creative talents of stylists, designers, photographers and writers from around the globe.

WRITE US

 Find us on

Latest News

By G&G _ Magzine April 29, 2026
During Milan Design Week, where the city becomes an intricate map of overlapping visions and fleeting installations, Bodo Sperlein delivers a moment of rare coherence and depth with MENU exhibition that transcends the conventional boundaries of design to inhabit architecture as a living, breathing entity.
By G&G _ Magazine April 15, 2026
From March 31 to April 3, 2026, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Hotel & Shop Plus 2026 Shanghai unfolded as far more than a trade fair: it emerged as a living, breathing platform where the very notion of travel dissolves, permeating every layer of contemporary lifestyle and spatial design.
By G&G _ Magazine April 10, 2026
Held in two phases, from March 18–21 and March 28–31 at the Canton Fair Complex, the 57th edition of CIFF demonstrated how design is no longer something merely displayed but something to be fully experienced through the senses: deconstructed, re-engineered and ultimately redefined in its deepest essence: matter .
By G&G _ Magazine April 6, 2026
Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) is pleased to announce it will be returning to London’s EC1 on the 19 – 21 May 2026. Marking the 15th anniversary of this global design festival, a new curated series of largescale installations will be launched called Design Interventions .
By G&G _ Magazine February 19, 2026
At a time when design is redefining its priorities, the contemporary landscape of interiors, décor, and outdoor living is clearly shifting from a digital-centric vision toward a more human, emotional and nature-driven approach. This transition was strongly evident during the latest editions of Warsaw Garden Expo and Warsaw Gift & Deco Show , held at Ptak Warsaw Expo from 10th to 12th February 2026.
By G&G _ Magazine February 3, 2026
Merav Bustan, founder of the Berlin-based design studio bearing her name, is the creative force behind the interior design of the new boutique hotel, VIA Antwerp , located in the vibrant heart of the Zurenborg district.
MORE

 Subscribe

Keep up to date with the latest trends!

Receive a dose of inspiration directly into your mailbox!

 Popular Posts

By G&G _ Magazine May 4, 2026
In a world where true luxury is no longer defined only by comfort and elegance but increasingly by silence, nature and the ability to breathe, Hyatt Regency Dongguan stands out as an ideal destination to recharge and reconnect with what truly matters.
By Zhanna Lysohorova April 23, 2026
Praga district, once industrial and today filled with galleries, studios, cafés, and cultural spaces, is home to the vibrant Moxy Warsaw Praga . The hotel embraces the spirit of the neighborhood with a modern and playful design (typical of the Moxy Hotels concept) featuring industrial elements that echo the area’s historic character.
By G&G _ Magazine March 9, 2026
Between February 6 and March 8, Madrid Design Festival 2026 offered an intense program of exhibitions and events across the city. Throughout these days, it was possible to perceive the evolution of the festival, which expanded its program by integrating professional talks and meetings, revealing a strong desire among industry professionals to share the new Spanish approach to design with the world.