Brazilian Houses: 15 Single-Story Homes

Although zoning regulations point toward necessary densification and the subsequent verticalization of residential buildings in urban centers—seeking greater efficiency and access to urban infrastructure—something escapes this purely rational plan and enters the subjective sphere when we think of single-story houses.

Even though human settlements began seeking levels beyond the ground floor very early on, as far back as the Neolithic period, early residential architecture shared an inseparable bond with the earth. Besides serving as the foundation upon which to build, the ground provided the very materiality of these dwellings. This might explain why single-story homes still carry an indescribable appeal today—or perhaps this value is rooted in the intimate relationship that a building, when anchored to the ground, can establish with its natural surroundings.

Either way, single-story houses reveal a great deal about how architects engage with the specificities of the land, its topography, vegetation, and, ultimately, nature itself. Below, we highlight 15 examples of Brazilian houses limited to a single level that can serve as inspiration for your projects.