FGMF arquitetos revamps brazilian modernism with house of voids 'subtraction house'

FGMF arquitetos revamps brazilian modernism with house of voids 'subtraction house'

Subtraction House defined by absence

 

A residential neighborhood just outside São Paulo, Brazil sees the completion of Subtraction House, a contemporary home aptly named by its designers at FGMF Arquitetos for its unique concept. The residence can be found among the rolling hills of Quinta da Baroneza, challenges conventional notions of space and light, offering a captivating interplay between built form and nature. From the outset, the architects at FGMF sought to depart from the São Paulo School’s traditional emphasis on structure as the sole generator of space. Instead, they embarked on a bold experiment, starting with two theoretical exposed concrete planes elevated above the gently sloping plot. These planes defined the maximum possible footprint of the house.

fgmf arquitectos casa subtraçãoimages © Fran Parente

 

 

fgmf arquitetos plays with solid and void

 

The architects at FGMF Arquitetos explored various configurations to accommodate social, private, leisure, and service areas within Subtraction House. This ‘occupation’ between the planes then informed the placement of strategic cut-outs. These subtractions carved out walkways, voids for subterranean gardens, and pockets of light, all carefully planned within the original planes’ boundaries — hence the evocative name ‘Subtraction House.’ The resulting design is a dialogue between solid and void. The accentuated horizontality is punctuated by strategically placed voids, each meticulously positioned and associated with the staircases. These voids serve multiple purposes: offering diverse views, fostering visual connections between residents across different spaces, and allowing native plant-life to grow throughout the built space.

fgmf arquitectos casa subtração
FGMF Arquitetos uses cut-outs in concrete planes to shape space and light

 

 

interiors infused with native plant-life

 

Built by FGMF Arquitetos with reinforced concrete molded on-site, Subtraction House exudes a modernist and minimalist aesthetic. Polished concrete floors and white-painted masonry further reinforce this theme, creating a clean and sophisticated backdrop for the interplay of light and shadow. The strategically positioned swimming pool atop the first roof slab serves as a visual counterpoint to the rigid geometry of the planes. Its glistening surface reflects the sunlight, adding a touch of serenity and dynamism to the overall composition. FGMF firmly believes that landscape design is an integral part of architecture. With Subtraction House, this philosophy is evident due to the integration of greenery throughout. From the outset, landscaping informed the spatial planning, complementing both the interiors and the surrounding gardens, merging the lines between the built and natural environments.

fgmf arquitectos casa subtração
strategic voids connect residents and nature, offering diverse views and fostering a sense of openness fgmf arquitectos casa subtração
a small interior footprint contrasts with vast exterior areas, emphasizing the connection to the surrounding landscape FGMF arquitetos revamps brazilian modernism with house of voids 'subtraction house'
a top the roof slab, the pool breaks the rigidity with its reflective surface

FGMF-arquitectos-casa-subtracao-braganca-paulista-brazil-designboom-06a

polished concrete and white masonry create a clean backdrop for the interplay of light and shadow

FGMF arquitetos revamps brazilian modernism with house of voids 'subtraction house'
lush greenery is infused throughout the interiors, blurring the lines between the home and landscape

FGMF-arquitectos-casa-subtracao-braganca-paulista-brazil-designboom-08a

Subtraction House transforms a conventional program into an innovative architectural statement

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site plan
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project info:

 

project title: Subtraction House

architecture: FGMF Arquitetos | @fgmf

location: Bragança Paulista, Brazil

built area: 485 square meters

completion: 2020

photography: © Fran Parente | @franparente

 

lead architects: Fernando Forte, Lourenço Gimenes, Rodrigo Marcondes Ferraz
coordinators: Sonia Gouveia
contributors: Cintia Reis, Daniela Zavagli, Desyree Niedo, Felipe Fernandes, François Caillat, Juliana Cadó, Mariana Lazero, Rafael Saito, Victor Lucena
intern: Guilherme Braga

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