Cube house / AR Arquitetos

© Maíra Acayaba

Architects: AR arquitetos / Marina Acayaba, Juan Pablo Rosenberg
Location: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Contractor: Construsil S.A.
Site Area: 92.50 sqm
Project Area: 92.50 sqm
Project Year: 2008
Construction Year: 2009
Photographs: Maíra Acayaba

INPUT 01

House in a village in the neighborhood of Pompeia, São Paulo, Brazil.
width of the road: 2.60 m
Plot – area: 92.50 sqm; front: 6.60 m; background: 14m, twinned on both sides

exploded axo

INPUT 02

Residence for a couple without children;
Kitchen as the heart of the house = living and kitchen integrated;
Host friends often and wish to have a baby soon = 03 bedrooms
The couple studies and work at home = office with large library
They grow many kinds of plants = outdoor areas
Very close neighbors

© Maíra Acayaba

CONTRADICTION 01

A large house in a small plot

CONTRADICTION 02

He wants maximum privacy, she wants an open house with garden (clear and airy)

OUTPUT 01

The house was closed to the street and opened into the lot, creating a microclimate.

© Maíra Acayaba

OUTPUT 02

Maintain the threshold of the demolished old house (+0.90 m), creating a basement, which houses the library and office with a complete bathroom, convertible to guest-room. From there, the street is seen from an unusual point of view with the sky over the desk.

VOLUME 01

A cube of about 6 X 6 X 6m placed in the center of the lot, twinned on both sides, opens onto two yards, front and back, allowing maximum use of land with preservation of outdoor areas as extensions of the house.

ground floor plan

first floor plan

VOLUME 02

Another cube of 3 X 3 X 3m, uncovered, posed in the front setback, as an extrusion of the main one, completes the house volume, defining the garage void. It comprehends the front courtyard opened to the living-room and also accomodates the laundry.

RESULT 01

Once the house is opened onto both front and back yards, internal and external areas are merged, without loss of privacy. It means maximum use of the plot, providing abundant natural lighting and ventilation.

© Maíra Acayaba

RESULT 02

Ideal distribution for intimate, social and work spaces, allowing concurrent activities without interference.

RESULT 03

A large space in a small house.