Haras HCN by Per Cavalli Arquitetura: A Modern Equestrian Retreat in Porto Feliz, Brazil

Nestled in the serene landscapes of Porto Feliz, Brazil, Haras HCN by Per Cavalli Arquitetura is a 1,650 m² equestrian facility designed to blend functionality, comfort, and modern aesthetics. Completed in 2023, this equestrian complex caters to both professional show jumping and dressage riders, as well as the care of retired horses and foals bred on-site. With its thoughtful spatial organization, materiality, and integration with the surrounding landscape, Haras HCN exemplifies contemporary equestrian architecture.

Design Concept and Spatial Organization

The clients’ vision was driven by the desire to relocate their horses from urban life to the countryside during the pandemic, creating a dedicated space that accommodates active training, animal care, and leisure. To meet these requirements, the pavilion adopts a U-shaped layout, with the front façade closed to ensure privacy. Passing through a central portico, visitors are welcomed into a courtyard featuring a fountain and fire pit, around which the horse stalls are arranged. At the rear, the round pen, open training arena, and large covered arena provide optimal training and exercise spaces for active horses.

Functional Zoning and Horse Care

Haras HCN integrates carefully planned zones for horses at different life stages. Retired horses and foals are housed in stalls with individual paddocks situated closer to the main house, ensuring convenient access to training equipment while maintaining separation from active sports horses. Each stall features side rails, allowing herd-contact interaction, and individual windows that blur the boundary between the interior and surrounding landscape.

A broad covered corridor links the stalls to essential facilities, including a veterinary space at one corner of the “U” and a living area positioned at the pavilion’s end. The living area is designed with large glass doors, providing a controlled environment free from horse movement.

Support Facilities

The pavilion also houses comprehensive equestrian support spaces. At the opposite end, changing rooms, two covered horse showers, a sawdust storage area, hay and feed deposits, and a saddle room are seamlessly integrated into the facility. Wide wooden muxarabis enclose these spaces, offering safety, ventilation, and functional storage.

Materiality and Architectural Expression

The material palette reflects the local context and natural environment. Pigmented cement slats in earthy tones cover mid-height sections of the main and internal façades, evoking the color of the site’s soil. These modern materials harmoniously coexist with traditional ceramic tiles, natural wood, and black metalwork, resulting in an architectural language that respects the local pre-existing structures while emphasizing contemporary elegance.

Haras HCN is more than an equestrian facility: it is a harmonious blend of architecture, landscape, and animal care, designed to foster both performance and well-being for horses and humans alike.

All photographs are works of  Cacá Bratke