Terra House / Cité Arquitetura

Rio de Janeiro, 2023 - Located above the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, in the southern zone of the city, Casa Terra has its architecture signed by Cité Arquitetura, with a project whose premises are to take advantage of the terrain in front of its large slope and existing levels, value the view of the lush vegetation and imperial palm trees of the Botanical Garden, incorporate the memory of the original construction into the new residence and reflect the personality of the new residents. Designed to accommodate three people - a father and two children - the project absorbs details of the original construction, such as the old load-bearing hand-stone walls, used as anchors in the reconfiguration of the circulation and environments in the current residence, highlighting especially the encounter between the present and the past. The design of a covered patio, with zenithal lighting, introduces the staircase access next to the old "wall" of stone, rooting the house in its place of memory and creating a great reception moment.