LC House by KS arquitetos: A Contemporary Brick Home in Porto Alegre

LC House, designed by KS arquitetos, is a striking residential project located in the quiet southern neighborhood of Porto Alegre, Brazil. Completed in 2023, the 250 m² home redefines modern residential architecture by combining exposed brick, wood, and concrete with a bold design strategy that maximizes natural light, ventilation, and spatial integration.

Unique Site Strategy

Unlike conventional homes that align closely with the street frontage, LC House was intentionally set back, with its volume concentrated at the rear of the lot. This unusual design approach not only preserves openness at the front but also allows the home to stretch from side to side across the plot, creating a sense of privacy while optimizing usable interior and exterior space.

The architects overcame the challenge of limited openings on the frontal façade by designing three distinct facades with different orientations, ensuring abundant natural light and ventilation throughout the house. This architectural choice transforms the central garden into an active, breathing element of the project.

Open, Integrated Living Spaces

Inside, LC House embraces fluid spatial connections. The social area features double-height ceilings, expansive openings, and a layout where each room visually connects with others. This openness creates a bright, airy environment while encouraging family interaction.

The second floor eliminates corridors entirely—circulation happens through bridges that link the two wings of the house. This architectural move not only saves space but also enhances transparency and visual continuity between levels.

Honest Materials and Functional Design

The structural system relies on solid brick masonry, with only a few concrete pillars supporting the home. Materials are celebrated in their raw form:

• Exposed brick walls provide warmth and texture.
• Wooden beams and details add natural character.
• Concrete and steel elements enhance durability and contrast.

In line with the design philosophy of practicality and efficiency, no plaster was used. Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC installations remain visible, making the construction process cleaner, faster, and more cost-effective.

Connection with Light and Nature

Light is the soul of LC House. A central axis with double-height ceilings bathes the interiors in daylight, while expansive windows blur the line between inside and outside.

Outdoor spaces are thoughtfully integrated:

• A ground-floor balcony with a wooden pergola creates a shaded social corner.
• A second-floor terrace provides panoramic views of the surrounding neighborhood.

These spaces reinforce the connection between architecture, landscape, and daily life.

Contemporary Latin American Brick Architecture

LC House also reflects a broader cultural narrative. By revisiting Latin America’s long tradition of exposed brick architecture, KS arquitetos pay homage to regional identity while bringing a fresh, contemporary lens. The design highlights the potential of using local materials and accessible construction techniques to create architecture that is modern, sustainable, and deeply rooted in context.

LC House is more than a private residence—it is an architectural statement that merges regional tradition, material honesty, and contemporary living needs. Through its integration of open volumes, exposed brick, and light-filled spaces, the house exemplifies how thoughtful design can transform constraints into opportunities.

This project by KS arquitetos demonstrates that architecture can be both practical and poetic, celebrating Brazilian craftsmanship and cultural heritage while embracing a forward-looking modern identity.

All the photographs are works of Roberta Gewehr