SPBR Architects

House in Santa Teresa

House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon

HOUSE IN SANTA TERESA

SPBR Arquitetos

ARCHITECTS
SPBR Arquitetos

YEAR
2008

CATEGORY
Houses

AREA
4488.65 m2

PHOTOGRAPHS
Nelson Kon

LOCATION
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Text description provided by architect.

Santa Teresa is a historical neighborhood that offers some great views of the city of Rio de Janeiro.

House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon

The house is located in one of the highest points of Santa Teresa’s hill.

From the north side of the house it is possible to see the old downtown; from the south side, a more panoramic view of Pão de Açucar and the Guanabara Bay.

House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon

The site starts at 100 m above sea level at the cable car street and finishes at 125m at a breathtaking viewpoint of Pão de Açucar.

The project takes into consideration the two pre-existent levels of the pronounced topography: 120 m and 125 m over sea level.

House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon

At the lower level, there is a linear block that leads to the bedrooms and the office. Their main glass facade opens up to the enjoying garden on the east side.

These two prismatic and linear volumes are opened on the east and west sides but are completely closed on the north and south sides, living the ground under them empty.

House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon

The roof was designed to make a complementary ground on the upper plateau.

The living room is located over the higher plateau providing a view of downtown on the north side and of the Guanabara Bay and Pão de Açucar on the south.

House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon

This volume is closed on the east and west sides to avoid sun heat and to emphasize the magnificent views on the other sides. It leaves the level below completely open.

Thus, there is a bare level between bedrooms and living room which is filled by the kitchen, where, according to the traditional Brazilian culture, most people will spend their spare time.

House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon


House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon
House in Santa Teresa
© Nelson Kon


House in Santa Teresa
section 01
House in Santa Teresa
section 02


House in Santa Teresa
site plan
House in Santa Teresa
ground floor plan
House in Santa Teresa
first floor plan
House in Santa Teresa
second floor plan
House in Santa Teresa
third floor plan

SPBR Architects
T +55 11 38151171
SPBR Architects
Av. Brig. Faria Lima, 1234 - Jardim Paulistano, São Paulo - SP, 01451-001, Brazil