Lelis House: A Contemporary Home Balancing Memory and Renewal by Memola Estúdio

Lelis House is a contemporary single-family residence designed by Memola Estúdio, conceived through a delicate dialogue between memory and transformation. Originally planned as a renovation, the project ultimately evolved into the construction of an entirely new house on the same plot, preserving the emotional and spatial references of the former dwelling while responding to the clients’ current needs for openness, comfort, and social interaction.

The architectural concept centers on reconciling past and present. Rather than erasing the site’s history, the new house reinterprets familiar qualities—such as shelter, material warmth, and spatial intimacy—into a renewed domestic environment. The result is a home that feels both new and deeply rooted, offering expanded living areas while maintaining a sense of belonging to the land.

The front portion of the house is defined by a large, integrated social space that concentrates daily life and gatherings. An open kitchen, dining area, and living room coexist within a single volume, unified yet subtly differentiated by light, materiality, and furniture arrangement. This generous space is immediately perceived from the exterior, where a gable roof marks its presence and distinguishes it from the more compact volume that follows.

Natural light plays a fundamental role in shaping the interiors. Floor-to-ceiling windows along the side façades illuminate the living area, positioned between the main entrance—accented by a piano—and a sculptural metal staircase leading to the private quarters above. On the opposite side, a tall vertical opening rises above the kitchen counter, which extends the full depth of the space, reinforcing visual continuity and brightness.

Custom-designed wooden sliding doors and frames connect the kitchen directly to the front porch, sheltered by a wooden pergola. This semi-open space functions as an extension of the interior, encouraging informal conversations and social moments around cooking and dining. The absence of structural supports within the central living area further enhances spatial fluidity and openness.

Material choices reinforce the house’s warm and welcoming atmosphere. Exposed brick walls, wooden plank flooring, and ceramic finishes establish a cohesive palette, while fixed cabinetry—also designed by the studio—emphasizes linearity and craftsmanship. The wooden roof trusses and slatted elements echo these materials, culminating in a skylight that introduces zenithal light along the roof slope, animating the space throughout the day.

In contrast to the openness of the front half, the rear section of the ground floor is more compartmentalized, accommodating functional and intimate spaces organized along a central corridor. Even here, natural light remains a key element, flowing in from both the façade and overhead openings. A textured white wall beside the staircase softens the presence of the exposed metal structure and subtly signals the transition to the private bedrooms on the upper floor.

At the back of the house, a cozy porch benefits from the shade created by the overhanging bedroom volume. Brick flooring, wood surfaces, and surrounding vegetation define a calm outdoor retreat, visually connected to a small apartment located in the outbuilding at the end of the lot. This layered spatial arrangement reinforces the continuity between interior and exterior living.

Lelis House ultimately embodies a thoughtful approach to residential architecture, where spatial generosity, material honesty, and emotional continuity converge. By balancing renewal with memory, Memola Estúdio delivers a home that supports contemporary living while honoring the lived history of its site.

All the Photographs are works of Fran Parente