Plano House by Studio Bloco Arquitetura: A Seamless Fusion of Nature and Comfort

Plano House, designed by Studio Bloco Arquitetura, is a 255 m² beach retreat in Brazil, intended primarily for family vacations and weekend getaways. The project’s essence is simplicity, emphasizing practicality and harmony with the natural surroundings while ensuring the occupants’ comfort.

Design Concept:

The design revolves around a straightforward layout, with a single-story wooden volume extending parallel to the plot’s alignment. This elongated structure accommodates the private areas, including the suites, laundry room, and guest bathroom. Above this, a prestressed concrete slab, which gives the house its name, forms the entire social zone while simultaneously providing shelter for cars at the front.

Entrance and Central Patio:

A key feature is the suspended flower pots that define the central patio, serving as a buffer between the public pathways and the home’s interior. This thoughtful design ensures privacy while maintaining an open connection to the natural surroundings, allowing filtered light to enhance the living area.

Social Area: An Open Connection to Nature

The heart of Plano House is its social area, designed to blur the boundary between indoors and outdoors. Three of the four sides are glazed and surrounded by lush vegetation, fostering a seamless integration with nature. Floor-to-ceiling glass panels, combined with consistent flooring and roofing treatments, allow the back porch to merge effortlessly with the living area, creating a dynamic and fluid space for social gatherings.

The living room and dining area are connected by a minimalist metal bookshelf and slim shelves, providing a subtle partition that meets the functional needs of the space without disrupting the visual connection to the exterior. The kitchen, integrated within the wooden volume, maintains visual continuity with various spaces—from the lot’s access point and patio to the living area and pool.

Private Spaces: Thoughtful Division

The private spaces are housed within the wooden volume, split into two distinct sections. The front portion includes two suites, a clothes storage area, and a guest bathroom, while the rear section accommodates two additional suites and a laundry room. Access to these spaces is subtly provided through intentional subtractions in the wooden structure, ensuring continuity between indoor and outdoor areas.

Materiality and Aesthetics

The architectural identity of Plano House emerges from its material choices. The exposed concrete slab retains the texture of the formwork, serving as a foundational design element. The use of wood extends beyond the structural cladding, echoed in select pieces of loose furniture. Light linen upholstery and brushed Paraná marble in the kitchen complement the natural tones, enhancing the ambiance of warmth and sophistication.

Outdoor Integration and Landscaping

The outdoor areas, including the back porch and pool, are designed as an extension of the social zone. These spaces facilitate a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor environments, fostering an immersive living experience that celebrates the natural beauty of the surroundings.

All Photographs are works of Marcelo Donadussi