EG House by Play Arquitetura: A Thoughtful Renovation in the Hills of Belo Horizonte

Nestled on the steep hillsides of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, the EG House by Play Arquitetura unfolds as a layered architectural narrative of time, family, and renewal. Originally conceived in 2008 and completed in 2011, the home underwent a major interior and spatial renovation between 2020 and 2022, marking a significant evolution both in its function and its character.

A Home Reimagined Over Time

The project is the result of a two-phase design process. The first phase focused on establishing the original structure, while the second phase was a comprehensive renovation that adapted the house to the family’s new needs after years of living abroad. With grown children and a fresh perspective, the owners decided to breathe new life into their home rather than part ways with it.

Multi-Level Design on a Sloping Terrain

Situated on a sloped lot, the 1,020 m² house is distributed across three levels. The lower floor houses the garage and intimate areas, including four bedrooms—two suites and two semi-suites—designed for comfort and privacy. The middle floor, which acts as the social heart of the home, connects seamlessly to a garden terrace, blending indoor and outdoor living through the open-plan kitchen, dining, and living areas. On the upper level, a home office and TV room provide retreat and productivity spaces, complemented by a terrace that opens up to sweeping mountain views.

Transformative Renovation: Kitchen and Leisure Expansion

A pivotal aspect of the renovation involved expanding the kitchen and adjacent leisure zone. The original kitchen’s compact layout, combined with its exposure to intense western sunlight, posed functional challenges. To resolve this, the kitchen was extended to the limits of the existing concrete eaves, requiring excavation and regrading of the land. A five-centimeter elevation drop was introduced between the kitchen windowsill and the new outdoor area, allowing the exterior garden to serve as a productive vegetable garden, merging aesthetics with sustainability.

New Structural Volumes and Outdoor Connections

The enhanced leisure space was built with a metal I-beam structure, delicately inserted within the void left by the old porch. This design choice allowed the new extension to exist independently of the original concrete framework, maintaining structural clarity. The new roof slab sits beneath the existing concrete beams, while a wooden deck crowns the space above the old floor. A cascading series of steps and a custom-built bench lead to the deck’s second tier, which rests over the garden beneath a pergola—an inviting setting for social gatherings and quiet moments alike.

Interior Design: Where Vintage Meets Contemporary

The interior of EG House masterfully blends vintage furniture, contemporary décor, and custom-designed pieces by Play Arquitetura. The warm material palette—highlighting wood, soft lighting, and tactile surfaces—brings intimacy to the open-plan layout. Expansive windows frame garden views, drawing natural light into the living and dining areas while reinforcing the home’s connection to nature.