Albatroz House: Contemporary CLT Summer Residence Integrated with Landscape in Brazil

Designed by Sala 03 Arquitetura, Albatroz House is a contemporary summer residence conceived as a retreat for a family of four within a gated residential neighborhood in Brazil. Completed in 2023, the 392-square-meter house explores structural innovation, material honesty, and seamless indoor, outdoor living, responding sensitively to a sloped site and an expansive natural setting overlooking a golf course.

Site Strategy and Volumetric Clarity

The project originated from the unification of three adjacent lots, later reorganized into two plots to optimize buildable area on a challenging slope. This strategic land reconfiguration allowed the architects to overcome topographical constraints while preserving spatial generosity. By relocating the garage laterally rather than positioning it on the main frontage, the house presents a clean, uninterrupted façade that reinforces its sculptural clarity and contemporary identity.

CLT Construction and Material Expression

A defining feature of Albatroz House is the extensive use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) on the main living level. The lightweight CLT structure serves simultaneously as structure and finish, reducing construction layers while introducing warmth, texture, and a natural atmosphere. This approach enhances the visual and environmental connection between the house and its lush surroundings, reinforcing a sense of calm and retreat appropriate for a seasonal residence.

In contrast, the lower level is constructed with a metallic structure and waffle slabs, systems more commonly associated with large-scale buildings. Combined with stone, exposed concrete, and other raw materials, this structural palette achieves robustness without visual heaviness, demonstrating a sophisticated balance between solidity and lightness.

Spatial Organization and Indoor, Outdoor Living

Upon entry, the house immediately reveals its open spatial logic. The entrance hall flows seamlessly into the living room, gourmet kitchen, and dining area, forming a unified social core oriented toward the landscape. Large sliding frames allow this entire space to open fully onto the deck, infinity pool, and sauna, dissolving the boundary between interior and exterior.

Strategically placed planted walls and integrated foliage amplify this connection, creating a continuous visual dialogue between architecture and nature. From the pool, the infinity edge frames uninterrupted views of the golf course and surrounding greenery, one of the project’s most striking spatial experiences.

The ground floor also accommodates three en suite bedrooms, ensuring privacy while maintaining close proximity to the shared living spaces. Service areas, including the utility room and restroom, are discreetly concealed behind custom wood cabinetry, preserving the clarity and fluidity of the plan.

Flexible Lower Level and Programmatic Adaptability

Accessed either via a sculptural helical staircase or directly from the garage, the lower floor houses technical spaces alongside a media room and a generous multipurpose area. Designed to adapt over time, this flexible room can function as a gym, game room, or atelier, responding to the evolving needs of the family.

Construction Systems and Finishes

Albatroz House employs a diverse yet carefully orchestrated material palette. CLT panels rest over waffle slabs, while the lightweight roof system features a TPO membrane over OSB panels. Finishes include moledo stone, exposed concrete slats, cementitious coatings, and white-painted wooden floors. Despite the variety of materials, the overall composition remains cohesive and restrained.

Interior Design and Architectural Restraint

The interior design reflects Sala 03 Arquitetura’s commitment to visual calm and functional clarity. Built-in furniture is intentionally understated, allowing architecture and space to take precedence. Select furniture pieces act as subtle accents rather than focal points, avoiding visual clutter and reinforcing the house’s serene atmosphere.

Ultimately, the architecture itself becomes the main protagonist. Carefully framed views, both toward the front and the rear, are emphasized through expansive glazing and wooden louvers, transforming the surrounding landscape into a constantly changing backdrop for everyday life.

Project Highlights

Albatroz House exemplifies contemporary Brazilian residential architecture through its integration of CLT construction, adaptable spatial planning, and a refined balance between raw materials and natural warmth. Designed as a summer refuge, it demonstrates how innovative construction systems and thoughtful site strategies can elevate domestic architecture while remaining deeply connected to place.

All photographs are works of  Favaro Jr