House Brise: A Contemporary Tropical Retreat by Sidney Quintela Architecture + Urban Planning

House Brise, designed by Sidney Quintela Architecture + Urban Planning, is a stunning beach house located in Praia do Forte, Bahia, Brazil. Completed in 2022, this contemporary tropical residence seamlessly blends natural elements with modern design to create a luxurious and comfortable space for family gatherings and leisure.

Project Overview

Location and Context

Situated on the picturesque north coast of Bahia, House Brise is designed to accommodate the needs of a family seeking a weekend and holiday retreat. The 580m² residence, spread over two floors and a basement, is tailored to offer a variety of hosting and leisure spaces.

Design Challenges and Solutions

The project, initiated in 2021, posed several challenges, particularly in creating diverse spaces within the residence. To maximize the use of space, the ground floor was raised by 1.50m, allowing the basement to be fully utilized for service areas, a multi-purpose garage, and a cinema. An adjacent plot features a gazebo housing a game room, a living area, and a zen space.

Architectural Features

Sustainable Design

House Brise is designed with thermal comfort and sustainability in mind. Natural lighting and ventilation are integral to the design, ensuring a comfortable living environment while reducing energy consumption. The use of earth tones on the facades harmonizes the house with its natural surroundings.

Material Palette

The contemporary tropical style of House Brise is characterized by a thoughtful selection of colors and materials. Earth tones dominate the facades, while wood features prominently in the large window panels, pergola, and decorative panels. Outdoor furniture in green and orange adds a vibrant touch to the leisure areas. Light and gray elements in the intimate spaces enhance the sense of spaciousness and luminosity.

Interior Layout

Ground Floor

The ground floor includes social areas and two suites. One suite is fully accessible, while the other serves as a reversible office. The living room, with its double-height ceilings, features an internal garden that houses and conceals the TV. Pivot doors and large windows provide seamless visual connectivity with the external environment, incorporating the surrounding landscape into the living space.

Upper Floor

The upper floor houses four spacious bedrooms, including the master suite, which boasts a privileged view, a closet, and separate bathrooms for the couple. The design ensures privacy and comfort for all occupants.

Integration of Indoor and Outdoor Spaces

The gourmet area, designed for social gatherings, seamlessly integrates with the outdoor area through sliding doors, expanding the leisure space. Natural stone walls enhance the resort-like ambiance of the residence.

Furniture and Finishes

House Brise features a blend of contemporary and rustic design elements in its furniture. Chairs designed by Marcelo Ligieri and Gustavo Bitencourt add lightness and contrast to the interiors. The carpentry is practical and functional, with natural wood elements present in window frames, slatted ceilings, decks, and furniture. Textured burnt cement coatings on floors and walls add a tactile quality to the spaces.

House Brise by Sidney Quintela Architecture + Urban Planning exemplifies the harmonious blend of contemporary tropical design with sustainable and functional living spaces. This beach house in Praia do Forte offers a luxurious and inviting retreat for family and friends, perfectly balancing modern amenities with a connection to nature.

All the photographs are work of Manuel Sá