Imagine a house where nature embraces every detail and where contemporary design meets the wild allure of the Brazilian coastline. Welcome to Casa Angra, a summer residence in Angra dos Reis, Brazil, designed by Studio Arthur Casas.
Located right on the seafront, the house blends harmoniously into its natural surroundings, offering a haven where comfort and landscape interact in perfect harmony. According to Arthur Casas, the aim from the very start was to respect and optimize the original volume of the existing structure – designed by fellow Brazilian architect Fernando Peixoto – while adapting the space to the needs of its new residents. The transformation introduced new views of the sea and the lush Ilha Grande, prioritising fluidity between social spaces and a constant sense of immersion in the surrounding landscape. Even when ocean views weren't possible, other elements such as rocks, interior gardens and skylights were integrated so as to capture the essence of the surrounding nature and bring natural lighting in every room.
The journey to the house is an experience in itself: reachable by water, there is a path from the jetty to the main entrance, designed by the landscape architect Ricardo Cardim, which guides those arriving between native species from the Atlantic Rainforest that blend organically with the local vegetation. This commitment to nature is also reflected in the interior gardens, which bring the vitality of vegetation into the house. The façade itself is like a poem broken down into materialities. Raw stone quarried in the region, arranged in a variety of colours and shapes, creates a horizontal effect that echoes the surrounding rocky escarpment. Wood, the main protagonist both inside and out, brings warmth and sophistication. And the large panes of glass dissipate the barriers between indoors and outdoors, allowing natural light to pour into the spaces. Finally, the original ceramic tile roof contrasts with the thatched ceilings, creating a dialogue between the traditional and the modern.