Monolithic and undeniably modern, the building stands as two low linear brickwork blocks supporting an upper volume of concrete. Between, water and landscaping provide a refuge and, with the rather wonderful giant Texan plume grass, give the house an ethereal quality.
São Paulo based architect Guilherme Torres’ own house features a chequered wood screen or brise soleil called muxarabie, a classic feature in Eastern architecture, assimilated by the Portuguese and later brought to Brazil. Acting as a wooden curtain to allow air flow, it also filters the light, offers privacy to the inhabitants and adds security.
The external elements (screen, brickwork) can also be read internally. Other materials are kept simple – wood and stone floors, white walls and dark metal framed windows. The loose furniture is a combination of the architect’s own design, pieces by known Brazilian designers (Sérgio Rodrigues and Carlos Motta), and international pieces – Tom Dixon lighting, for example. Brazilian in style and quite jovial, the decorations are either neutral or fabulous shades of blue…
BT House by Studio Guilherme Torres via Arch Daily, here
Images: Denilson Machado
More wonderful spaces, here
owl's house london. 
This home is breathtaking! The interior design is so complimentary to its space. I also did not know of this muxarabi. I don’t think I have seen anything like it. It’s beautiful… Thank you Jane for teaching me something today. 🙂 Always love getting my dose of architecture from you.
wonderful to hear lauren, thank you so much! the house seems to me unmistakably brazilian in flavour – lively and vibrant, and yet still a very serious piece of modern architecture. happy weekend 🙂
What a beautiful building. It’s timeless. xD
I think that’s it – it’s a design that won’t date in form or in materiality. timeless and modern too. great to hear from you as always, Doris x