Residência Braúnas: A Contemporary Brazilian House Designed for Shared Family Living

Residência Braúnas by Reinach Mendonça Arquitetos Associados is a refined example of contemporary Brazilian residential architecture that seamlessly blends social living, environmental responsiveness, and spatial fluidity. Completed in 2021, this expansive 855 m² single-story house was designed as a summer retreat for two brothers and their families, prioritizing togetherness while maintaining essential privacy.

A House Designed for Collective Living

The core concept of Residência Braúnas revolves around family interaction and shared experiences. Instead of rigid spatial divisions, the layout promotes openness and flexibility. Only the couples’ suites are private, while children’s bedrooms are shared among cousins, encouraging connection and communal living.

This approach transforms the house into a coexistence-driven architectural model, where living, dining, and leisure areas are fully integrated, reinforcing the idea of a multi-family vacation home designed for bonding and relaxation.

Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Integration

A defining feature of this modern Brazilian house is its strong relationship with nature. The architecture is organized around a central patio with a garden and water mirror, acting as the heart of the home.

Large glass openings create a transparent architectural envelope, allowing natural light to flood the interiors while visually extending spaces outward. The patio becomes a key transitional zone, dissolving boundaries between interior and exterior environments.

This strategy enhances:

• Natural ventilation and cross-breezes
• Daylighting optimization
• Visual continuity with landscape elements

The result is a light-filled, airy residence that promotes comfort and well-being while reducing reliance on artificial systems.

Materiality and Structural Expression

The material palette is intentionally restrained, emphasizing neutral tones and natural textures. Shades of gray dominate the surfaces, allowing the surrounding greenery to stand out as a vibrant focal point.

Key materials include:

• Rough plaster on exterior walls for a tactile, raw finish
• Wood flooring and doors for warmth and contrast
• Roman travertine stone across social areas, terraces, and the pool
• Metallic structural systems enabling larger spans and visual lightness

The use of steel structures in social areas and verandas allows for open, column-free spaces, reinforcing the house’s expansive and flexible layout.

Climate-Responsive Design Strategies

Sustainability plays a crucial role in the project’s design. The house incorporates several passive and active environmental strategies, making it both efficient and comfortable in Brazil’s climate.

A metallic brise soleil extends from the roofline, acting as a protective layer against the harsh western sun, reducing heat gain while maintaining openness.

Additional sustainable features include:

• Solar panels for heating water in bathrooms and the swimming pool
• Rainwater harvesting systems for irrigation and reuse
• Optimized natural lighting and ventilation to reduce energy consumption

These strategies demonstrate a thoughtful approach to sustainable residential architecture, balancing performance with aesthetics.

Spatial Comfort Through Transparency and Flow

The architectural composition prioritizes visual permeability and spatial continuity. Transparent facades and open-plan interiors reduce perceived distances, making the house feel cohesive and inviting.

The integration of landscape elements into the architectural experience creates a biophilic environment, where nature becomes an active component of daily living. This not only enhances comfort but also strengthens the emotional connection between users and space.

Residência Braúnas stands as a compelling model of modern tropical architecture, where design fosters human connection, environmental harmony, and spatial elegance. By combining open-plan living, sustainable strategies, and material authenticity, the project redefines the concept of a shared family home in Brazil.

All photographs are works of  André Scarpa