Calambau House by André Braz Arquitetura + André Motta Vieira

Located in Presidente Bernardes, Calambau House byAndré Braz Arquitetura + André Motta Vieira is a sensitive renovation project that merges memory, craftsmanship, and contemporary living. Completed in 2024, the 3122 ft² residence reinterprets a late-19th-century home through careful restoration, spatial adaptation, and emotional storytelling.

Designed for Heloísa and Leonardo, the house reflects their strong family ties to the region and their desire for a welcoming, ritual-centered lifestyle rooted in affection and wellbeing.

Context: Living Between Memory and Daily Life

After years searching for a home near the town’s main square, the clients discovered a historic property that resonated with their personal history. Rather than pursuing a rural retreat, they chose an urban yet intimate setting that balanced practicality with emotional belonging.

Their participatory approach and attention to detail shaped the project, transforming the renovation into a collaborative process centered on memory, continuity, and everyday rituals.

A Historic House as Foundation

The original house, approximately 140 m², followed a typical late-19th-century Brazilian layout:

• Front living room with side bedrooms
• Secondary living room with adjacent rooms
• Dining room as first annex
• Bathroom, kitchen, and pantry
• Rear veranda as second annex

This clear spatial hierarchy guided the renovation strategy. Instead of radical restructuring, the architects preserved the original logic, minimizing structural reinforcements and respecting the building’s historical integrity.

Preservation as Design Strategy

One of the project’s guiding principles was to restore without falsifying history.

Key preservation measures included:

• Retention of front and side façades
• Conservation of original spatial organization
• Replacement of damaged wood using compatible species
• Recovery of traditional construction techniques

This approach ensured that the house remained authentic while adapting to contemporary living standards.

Program and Spatial Expansion

The renovated home accommodates an extensive and multifaceted program:

• Large living room
• Four bedrooms and three suites
• Integrated kitchen and dining area
• Laundry and social bathroom
• Garden with pergola-garage
• Pool, barbecue, biscuit oven, and fire pit
• Orchard, vegetable garden, and greenhouse
• Oratory and seating areas
• Outbuilding and shed

Through careful planning, these spaces were integrated without overwhelming the original structure.

The Living Room as Urban Filter

Facing the main square, the front living room functions as a transitional buffer between public life and domestic intimacy.

It operates as:

• A visual filter
• A social reception space
• A contemplative retreat
• A connector to private zones

From here, a corridor leads toward the kitchen and garden, gradually shifting from urban openness to domestic calm.

Kitchen and Garden: The New Heart of the House

A major transformation occurred in the kitchen area. Expanded and opened to the exterior, it now connects directly to the veranda and garden through large glazed openings.

Design Outcomes

• Creation of a private patio for the main suite
• Improved natural ventilation
• Strong indoor–outdoor relationship
• Centralized family gathering space

The kitchen became the emotional and functional core of the home, reinforcing daily rituals of cooking, sharing, and gathering.

Craft, Tradition, and Contemporary Dialogue

Museologist Lolo, one of the residents, emphasized restoring original elements without romanticizing the past. This led to the integration of traditional regional techniques:

• Taquara ceilings
• Local carpentry
• Handcrafted metalwork
• Adobe wall finishes

These methods coexist with contemporary references, creating a layered aesthetic where old, new, and reinterpreted elements coexist harmoniously.

Materiality: A Language of Warmth

Material choices reinforce the house’s sensory and emotional qualities.

Key Materials

• Taquara ceilings and exposed structure
• Reclaimed wood floors
• New peroba mica flooring
• Exposed adobe walls
• Burnished cement in kitchen
• Painted baseboards in bedrooms
• “Skirt and blouse” ceilings

Metalwork was produced without aluminum, allowing for expansive glass openings and refined detailing.

Together, these materials create warmth, texture, and continuity.

The Outbuilding: Contrast Without Competition

At the top of the sloped site, a new outbuilding was introduced with a simple, industrial language.

Features include:

• Sandwich metal roofing
• Minimal detailing
• Green color palette
• Clear geometric form

Rather than mimicking the old house, it contrasts subtly while maintaining visual dialogue through scale and color.

Landscape as Emotional Territory

The site slopes 13.2 meters between two streets. Instead of reshaping the terrain, the design follows natural topography.

Landscape Strategy

• Terraced staircase with landings
• Gazebo, orchard, and vegetable garden
• Preserved dracaena corridor
• Willow shading the veranda
• Dense foliage along edges

The residents curated the planting, prioritizing emotional and functional species, transforming the garden into a living archive of personal meaning.

Lighting: Comfort and Atmosphere

Lighting design prioritizes softness and intimacy.

It combines:

• Decorative fixtures
• Natural light
• Focal illumination
• Vintage and contemporary pieces

This layered approach enhances comfort while reinforcing the house’s domestic character.

Sustainability Through Reuse and Restraint

Rather than relying on advanced technologies, Calambau House embraces sustainability through:

• Adaptive reuse
• Local materials
• Traditional techniques
• Minimal demolition
• Passive ventilation
• Long-lasting finishes

This resource-conscious approach reduces environmental impact while preserving cultural heritage.

Architecture as Memory and Care

At its core, Calambau House is not merely a renovation, it is an act of care.

It preserves:

• Family history
• Regional craftsmanship
• Daily rituals
• Emotional connections
• Collective memory

By respecting the past while embracing contemporary needs, the project demonstrates how architecture can support identity, belonging, and wellbeing.

A Model for Sensitive Residential Renovation

Calambau House stands as an exemplary model for heritage renovation in small Brazilian towns. It proves that thoughtful intervention, rooted in empathy and craftsmanship, can transform old structures into vibrant, meaningful homes.

The project shows that true luxury lies not in excess, but in continuity, warmth, and authenticity.

All the Photographs are works of Evelyn Muller