© Haruo Mikami
- Architects: BLOCO Arquitetos
- Location: Brasília, Brazil
- Author: Daniel Mangabeira, Henrique Coutinho, Matheus Seco
- Area: 950.0 m2
- Project Year: 2018
- Photographs: Haruo Mikami
- Collaboration: Victor Machado, Marina Lira, Tatiana Lopes
- Construction: Construtora Tecna
- Structure: Centra Engenharia
- Installation: Grid Engenharia
- Landscape Design: Mariana Siqueira, Sérgio Borges e Jardins do cerrado
- Automation: Studio Automação
- Lighting : Dessine, Lumini
© Haruo Mikami
Text description provided by the architects. The House of Courtyards is located in almost flat ground, inside a lot without pre-existent vegetation. Its main openings are directed towards the north, from where it is possible to see parts of the Brasília’s city center. The orientation of the facades demanded the use of indented windows that create short eaves for solar protection.
© Haruo Mikami
The project was designed using an orthogonal grid of 3,65×3,65 meters, placed diagonally in relation to the lot. The extensive program was distributed over two floors. Although all the functions of the program are clearly separated, the volumetric composition aims to disguise any hierarchy.
© Haruo Mikami
© Haruo Mikami
The intention was to disperse the built volume following only the criteria of desired views, privacy and solar orientation for each room.
© Haruo Mikami
This strategy also increased the area of the facades that are connected to the exteriors, both directly or through inner “courtyards”. The landscape design makes use of the “cerrado” vegetation (Brazilian savannah) that is typical in this part of Brazil.
© Haruo Mikami
The green roofs over the ground floor are accessible through the bedrooms. The sightseeing terrace on the top of the second floor is accessed through a roofless stone-clad stair.
© Haruo Mikami