Siqueira + Azul frames landscape as a work of art in Endless Horizon House

Resting over plateaus and nestled amid magnificent mountains in a countryside setting of Rio de Janeiro, a house by local firm Siqueira + Azul Arquitetura is designed as an extension of its typography.

Titled Endless Horizon House, the architecture draws inspiration from the surrounding landscape that creates an illusion of an infinite mountainous ocean. “We took advantage of this incredible natural formation to create a lookout experience, where the exuberant landscape is the main focus,” says the design team at Siqueira + Azul.

The project began with finding the privileged landscape to harmonise the context with the architecture. In accord with the concept of endless horizon, a fluidity is composed between indoor and outdoor spaces and various design features are aligned to contribute to enhancing the spatial narrative. These include large openings that frame stunning views of the landscape as a work of art and natural materials that allow the built form to merge with the site.

The construction of the house, as per Siqueira + Azul, is conceived to rest over plateaus and develop over axes of paths that give form to spaces oriented to the amplest views.

Three residential blocks, internal gardens and an outdoor pool surrounding informal seating constitute the various spaces. Characterised by spacious galleries, the main central axes within the house receive ample daylight while sliding pivot doors enclosing these spaces act as catalysts for cross ventilation.

Covered balconies with wooden slats extend the continuity from indoor to outdoor, creating shading zones within the house.

The social spaces including the family living and dining area rest under a flat roof plane with rectilinear glazed openings that filter daylight through. 

The interior aesthetics reveal a combination of midcentury modern and contemporary Brazilian design. The use of natural materials further adds volume to the design construct.

Wooden panels in geometric forms embedded in a linear stone-clad composition reveal the facade. As per Siqueira + Azul, the design intent was to explore the materiality within a singular drawing component.

“We believe the experience undertaken in Endless Horizon House is one of harmony with nature, land and energy. Architecture should always pursue and therefore thrive on this relationship. Here, all elements are in consonance with the endless horizon,” explains the studio.

As intended, nature and land do not serve as a backdrop but become the spirit of then house.

Other Brazilian projects published on STIRworld.com include architect Rodrigo Simão’s House in Samambaia characterised by a one--curve roof, Brazilian aesthetics merging eco-friendly construction in Schuchovski Arquitetura’s Panoramic House, and a brutalist design for a beachwear label boutique store by MNMA Studio.