ĪBA House by Daniel Fromer: A Contemporary Bahian Sanctuary Blending Landscape, Architecture, and Family Living

Nestled within a lush five-thousand-square-meter site in southern Bahia, ĪBA House, designed by architect Daniel Fromer, emerges as a harmonious dialogue between contemporary Brazilian architecture and the region’s vibrant natural landscape. The project began when landscape designer Rodrigo Oliveira discovered the unique property—an expansive terrain shaped like a natural amphitheater, opening gently toward panoramic sunset views. Embracing the site’s original topography, the residence integrates seamlessly into its surroundings, creating a tranquil retreat framed by native and curated gardens.

A Residence Molded by the Landscape

From the outset, the design approach centered on honoring the terrain’s natural qualities. The house unfolds across three distinct volumes, each positioned to subtly blend into the landscape while maximizing visual and physical connections to nature.

The main block organizes the social, private, and service spaces in a clear, functional layout. A variety of roof profiles—two pitched roofs for the social and intimate areas, and a flat slab over the service wing—visually break down the volume, allowing it to feel integrated and unobtrusive on the land.

Two additional structures extend the program:

• A guest pavilion, offering privacy and independence for visitors
• A poolside pavilion, functioning as a flexible outdoor living and gathering hub

These volumes open generously to the gardens, with expansive glazing designed to enhance airflow, natural light, and sensory connection to the outdoors.

Architecture Rooted in Harmony and Family Life

Casa ĪBA’s architecture was shaped by two core principles: respect for the surrounding landscape and creating a home that nurtures family life across generations.

Every room—including circulation areas—opens to the gardens, ensuring constant visual continuity between interior spaces and nature. The interiors are thoughtfully zoned to accommodate children, teenagers, adults, and elders while maintaining fluidity and cohesion. This multi-generational approach fosters togetherness without compromising comfort or privacy.

Materiality Inspired by Bahian Identity

Infused with the spirit of Bahia, the house incorporates natural and locally influenced materials such as taubilha, wooden structures, burnt cement, and artisanal ceramic tiles from Trancoso. While these elements reference the region's traditional vernacular, their application is carefully refined, resulting in an aesthetic that is simultaneously sophisticated, warm, and contemporary.

The palette grounds the architecture in its context, reinforcing a dialogue between the built form and its lush surroundings.

A Living Garden: The Landscape as Experimental Laboratory

For landscape designer Rodrigo Oliveira, the gardens of Casa ĪBA became a creative and experimental laboratory. Between the architectural volumes, he introduced intermediate forests, mixing native vegetation with newly tested species. This layering of textures, colors, and botanical forms produces a garden that feels both natural and curated—an evolving ecosystem that enriches the daily life of the home’s residents.

All photographs are works of Evelyn Müller